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AUTOBIOGRAPHY    OF    JOHN    K.    MASSKY 


en 

m 


11^ 


rfyL^  ^,  jlAsux/i-J^' 


AUTOBIOGRAPHY 


OF 


JOHN  E.  MASSEY 


KinTKD    II Y 

ELIZABETH   H.    HANCOCK 


NKW  YORK  AND  WASHINCi  TON 
THE   NEAI.K   ITHl.ISHI  NC   COMPANY 

1  !» iMt 


Coi'YKKiirr.   I»(»e,  BY 
IHK    NEAI.K    I'l  BLISIIINCi    COMTANY 


TIIK    KDITOKS    l'(H;i:\\(H:i> 


d 

f  > 

;  ) 


Mr.  Massi:v  intcndftl  lo  maki'  two  lMi(»ks  nut 
of  his  material — our  a  liisiorv  of  ihr  llt-atl justci- 
iiiovt'iiH'iif  ill  \'ir;^iiiia.  ilii-  otlirr  his  atitoliioL:;i'a- 
I>hy.  This  inatrrial  coiisisttMl  of  h-itcfs,  notes 
in  his  hainlw  fit  iiiu,  ami  lu'w  spaiM-i-  rjiiipiniis. 
He  died  s(»oFi  after  lie  hail  liiiishiMl  tin-  comiiihi- 
lion  of  jiis  (lata,  h'axiiiii;  the  iiiaifi-ia!  in  nn|Mih- 
lisliatilr  fofin,  and  iioi  cNcn  in  ciifonidouical 
sequt'ncc. 

I  hojx'that  without  ])f('judic('  I  liaxc  asscnilth'd 
in  this  hook  all  of  .M  f.  .Masscv's  nialn-ial  of  i»ul»- 
lic  intcn'st.  I  say  without  {)!•(' judicc.  fof  1  would 
have  hccn  a  1  )('ht  payini,''  Dtunocfat  if  1  had  Imm-u 
old  enough,  while  all  tho  nicinhtTs  of  my  family 
^Mvc  their  political  stfenu^lh  to  defeat  the  Kead- 
juster  movement.  In  huihlinij;  the  hooj;,  as  1 
think  .Mr.  Massty  w(tuld  have  done,  ;,^ivinu' a  ecui- 
nected  history  of  Keadjusierism  fi'om  the  point 
(»f  view  of  the  "  I'alher  of  lieadjust  meiit  "  as  well 
as  Mr.  Massey's  autohio^i'a j)hy,  as  fat'  as  possible 
in  the  "  I'ai'son's  "  ow  n  vi^Mfous  lanu^ua^e.  I  ha\e 
endea\(U-e(j  to  jiorti-iy  the  uniipie  pefsonality  of 
one  of  the  most  imporiani  of  those  jxtsous  that 
dominate(l  the  jiolitieal  life  of  N'ir^inia  dufin^ 
the  last  centui-y. 

l]l.l/.M'.i:ril    11.    ilA.NtoCK. 


CiiAHi  11  rri  »vi  I  1  f ,  \'iu(ii  M  \, 

Jin*-    I:',   I'.i'O 


CONTEXTS 


1,    EaHLY     iMl'UErihIUNS 

II.     1'hoM     the     BaK     to     the      I'l  I-l'IT     . 

III.  Political  Affiliations 

I\'.  \'iKuiMA     After    the     War 

V.  The    State    Dert    and    the    I'l  Nui.Nci 

Bill 

\'I.  "  Parson    Massev's    ('oii'on    Bill 

VII.  "  Derts    a.ni)     Taxes  " 

\TII.  "To  THE  I'koi'i.e  of  \'ir(.ima" 

IX.     (ioVERNOR      PlERl'ONl's     \   li;\V>       . 
X.     N\'aS    THE    I'lNDINCi    HlI.L    1  RK  K  I'K  A  L  A  li  LK 

XI.  The      .Mas.^kv     .School      15ill     . 

XII.  The      Buokkr's      Hiii. 

XIII.  The     Head.msikh      I'ahiv     . 

Xl\'.  The    ("ami'ah.n    of     !S7!' 

X\'.  .Vi'DFron     OF     PruLic     .\(  (oinis 

X\'I.  Rf  \i).;rs  ri;it      PnFsii)y:\  ri  \  l      I'ikt 

X\    II.      H  i:  \I),)  I   >I  FH      (  ll   IIKH  N  \  Tom  \  L      (    ()N\F\ 

TloN 

X\'III.     ThF      MvHONF      I'l.FIXiK 

XIX.    The    I^k;    I"otii 

XX.    M  xhonf's    ('\r(rs    Mfvsiufs 
XXI.   "  Massfy     on      Mahone  "      .       .       .       . 


wet 

9 

20 

27 

W 

u 

''>[) 

w 

1  IS 

lJ(i 

I  ^■J 

1 1: 

l.VJ 

177 

IS.-. 

'J  1  ( ) 

'Jlh 

tin 

8  Contents 

CUAJTEH  PAGE 

XXII.   Candidate    for   Conghessman-at-Lauge  237 

XXIII.   Who    Settled    the    State     Debt?      .  iioO 

XX  I  \'.    Gu  liKHNATOUIAL  CONVENTION  AND 

Canvass  oe    188(3 i257 

XXW   Ijeitenant-Goveunor        ....  266 

XX\'I.     Gl'IJKHNATOUIAL  CONVENTION  AND 

Canvass  of    188<) 27  i- 

XX\'1I.    Sri'EKINTENDENT     OF     PlUI.IC      InsTIUC- 

TION '279 

XX\'in.    Retihement    to     Private     Life      .       .  2iJ8 

XXIX.    Local   Option:   Prohiiution      .       .       .  .SO] 

XXX.     CoXSTITlTIO-N  \L    CONVENTION        .         .         .  .'i  ]  0 


Autobioi^raphy    of    John    E.   Masscy 

CIIAPTKK     I 

KAKI.Y      IMPUKSSIONS 

y\Y  ;iii('fst(irs  caiur  fntiii  l-]ni:l;iTi<l  to  \'iririnia 
;it  ;m  (■;ii'Iy  iicrintl.  TIk'  Ikuiu'  of  my  irrand- 
fallin-,  K'ciihfii  .Masscy,  was  in  Spot  tsylvaiiia 
('iinnty.  His  Imrial  was  the  first  tliin;,^  I  dis- 
tinctly rciiiciiilici'.  I  was  cariMc<i  to  his  ijfavc 
in  my  iiiifsc's  ai'iiis,  ami  the  scene  so  im]ifesse(l 
me  tiiat   ciirhty  yeafs  have  mtt    olditeratcd   it. 

Tile  maiden  name  of  my  jKiternal  ^n-andmotlier 
was  Mary  rarter.  She  was  an  ]'])iscn]ialian  of 
the  strictest  kind,  and  she  lielieved  that  the 
only  way  to  Ilea\-en  was  thfoiiLrh  "  Tin  CIiid-cIi." 
When  my  eldest  hfother  liecaiiie  a  I5a])tist  min- 
ister, hoW('\'ei'.  she  moditied  hef  \iews  snfVi- 
ciently  to  heat'  him  jn-each.  Not  one  of  hei-  cliil- 
dfeii,  sifanue  to  say,  femaiiied   in  lici-  chiifch. 

.My  moihei",  before  her  marriai^e,  was  I'li/a- 
lietii  ("lieuiiinLT,  daui^hter  of  William  and  I'ran- 
ccs  ( 'hew  IlinLT.  IH'c  j'nlcher.  Soon  after  she  be- 
came the  wife  of  my  father,  r>cnjamin  .Masscy, 
t  hey  were  both  ha  jit  ised,  and  they  united  with  the 
.Mine  ijoad  lJaj>list  ('hnrch,  of  which  my  father 
was  for   many  years  the  ijcrk. 

.My  jKirents  were  in  the  condition  tinancially 
for  w  jiich  .\L:ar  prayed,  haviiiL:  "  neither  |>o\crty 
Iloi-  riches."'  r.oth  of  them  Ii\cd  to  be  old.  .Mv 
mother  died  first,  and  the  folliiwini:  e.xtraci  from 
her  obit  nary  Lri\cs  some  idea  of  the  lo\-eJincss 
of   her  cliaracicr  : 

"  Her  jiieiy  was  calm,  thoimhtfiil,  and  mature. 


10       Autohldijraphy    of    John-   E.    i\fnsf<cy 

WlicTi  tlic  lime  of  licr  (l('])ar1iii-o  rarm'  slio  was 
ill  the  altiiudc  of  I'cadincss;  and  1hou<j:h  lior 
death  was  sudden,  i(  w  as  |teaeefiil.  .  .  .  In  lier 
neiiihboi-liood,  as  a  skillfnl  nnrse,  and  a  syni])a- 
thi/.ini:  friend  and  connsellor,  she  was  eniinently 
nsefui.  I'.nt  it  was  in  hei*  family  circde  that  lier 
exceHeiice  was  most  felt.  As  a  wife  and  mother, 
her  sonnd  jnduiuent,  her  ,<,n'<'at  ])rndenee,  and 
her  amiahle  dis])()sition  jj^ave  her  almost  nn- 
liounded  intlueiice.  llei'  fandly  not  only  loved 
hei'  hut  i'e\-erenced  her.  To  the  day  of  her 
death,  liei-  cotmsels  and  cantions  had  controllini:; 
intliience  with  her  children:  with  tliem  her 
w  ishes  ha<i  nexei-  ceased  (o  command  the  rc^spect 
of  a  hindiniz:  authority,  her  a])]>i'ovin,ic  smile  had 
nevei'  ceased   to  he  a   pure  delii^ht." 

The  \iiX'»i'  and  cheei'fulness  of  my  father  were 
iinnsual.  lie  li\"ed  to  he  eiuhty-ei^ht  years  old, 
and  h<'  had  been  a  memhei"  of  the  r>a]>tist  Church 
for  ne;irly  sixty  years.  Tlie  foliowin;:;  extract  is 
from  tiie  notice  of  his  death,  jiuhlislied  in  the 
/<*'  Hi/ioiis   Ih  jiih! : 

"lie  was  tl'c  devoted  fi'iend  of  that  humble, 
^o(HJ  man,  lOlder  P.  I*.  l*endleton,  so  lonjji;  his 
pastor.  lie  was  contem])orary  with  Absalom 
Waller,  Andrew  r.roaddus,  J. '  ( 'haddler,  J.  A. 
r.illinusley,  Jacob  llerndon,  and  their  co- 
laluu'ci's,  ;nid  he  often  listened  to  their  instruc- 
tions Willi  dcliirht  and  protit.  Thouj.jh  catholic 
in  iiis  fcrlinus  t<iward  Christ  ians  of  ev(>rv  name, 
li"'  w;is  slroriLT  in  his  attachment  to  the  (hx'trines 
.iml  nsi'L^t's  of  the  l!;iptists.  To  the  sick  ami  af- 
tlicteij  lie  wiis  ('\rr  feady  to  olt'er  ministrations 
of  ]i>\r.  Ills  lios[iii;ilil  ies  wcrc  coi-di;il,  and  were 
liniiifd  only  by  his  means  and  oi)i)ort  unit  i(\s. 
ilis  faith  was  sti'oii^  and  his  Iiojk'  joyful." 


Early    1  mprcssioni^ 


n 


I  was  born  in  Spottsvlvaiiia  Coiinty,  \'irixinia, 
on  tlu'  LM  (lav  of  Ajtril,  l>r.l,  and  1  was  the 
youn^'^cst   of  s('\rn  childrrn. 

The  ('hristian  ('xanij»I('  and  instrnctions  of  niy 
jtarcnts  inijii't'sscd  nic  with  ndiLri"ns  scntimrnls 
at  an  early  a.i;t'.  I  cannot  recall  any  time  of 
luy  life  when  I  did  not  wish  to  Ik-  a  <'hristian. 
I  reniend»ei-  while  I  was  yet  a  small  child  slccje 
inLT  N\ith  my  |>an'nls.  I  was  so  (((nceinecl  n|ion 
the  suhjcct  that  I  was  (ince  \\('r]»ini:  when  my 
father  came  to  hed.  lie  wislie<l  til  know  what 
was  the  matter.  Init  1  coiihl  not  explain.  I 
asked  him  to  pi'ay  fof  me.  I  had  no  projicr  con- 
(■e]»tion  of  what  constituted  a  ( 'lirist  ian,  or  how 
to  become  one,  but  I  tlioULTlit  ('hi-istjaiis  !UUSt 
be  f^ood  and  hajipy.  Sei-vants,  with  whom  I  fi-e- 
(luently  talked  on  the  subject,  lille(l  mc  with 
horror  liy  tlicii-  dcsci-ij»t  ions  of  the  "  htst."  They 
told  me  to  be  L^ood  and  to  keep  on  pi-ayinir.  and 
when  the  Loi-d  was  ready  to  coinci't  me  I  would 
see  Jesus  in  the  sky,  or  lieai*  him  call  to  me  froiu 
the  clouds.  I  j>i-ayed,  and  looked,  and  lis- 
tene(i.  1  often  rej)eat<Ml,  "  ( )li,  when  shall  I  see 
Jesus  !  '" 

My  brother  I»enjannn,  about  six  yeai's  luy 
senior,  was  "  seek  in  i:  reji<^i(in,"'  and  I  thouudit 
that  I,  too,  was  niakiuir  fair  proLrress.  I  was 
sincerely  concei-ned  about  his  spii'iiual  condi- 
tion, and  I  felt  luoi'e  anxiety  about  him  than  I 
did  about  myself.  I  ihou;j:hl  I  w  as  i^et  i  Iiil;- ;i  lomr 
wt-ll,  and  would  soon  be  all  riiiiii  ;  that  I  had 
oidy  *'  to  kee]»  on   prayini:."' 

Aftei-  jlenjamin  and  I  had  retired  oni-  niLrhl, 
not  knowing'  his  fiame  of  mind,  I  said  some- 
thiuLT  amusing'  to  him.  Instead  of  beiuir  inter- 
ested, as    I    suj)]tosed   he   wduld   be,   he  said   that 


12       Aiitohiof/raphij    of    John    E.    Mdsscy 

lie  li.-licvcd  lie  could  Ix'  a  Clu'istian  if  it  wore 
not  foi-  inc.  His  i-cniark  ii'ritatcd  n\v  for  a  mo- 
iiiciii,  hut  soon  made  uic  iiTiliaj)])y.  Tlie  thought 
of  liindi'iiiiir  a  dcarl.v  loved  brother  from  becom- 
iiiU'  a   <"lirisiian   was  distressini;  to  lue. 

Not  loiiir  after  this,  while  we  were  at  dinner 
itiM-  Suuihiy,  my  sister  Mary  entered  the  dinin^c- 
i-ooiii.  and  aiiuoumed  that  l)roth(n'  lienjamin 
liad  iM-eii  I'cceiNcd  liv  the  (lood  Ilojx'  Clinreh  as 
a  eamlidate  for  l)a])tism. 

Tiie  anuouTicemeiit  was  like  an  electrio  shork 
to  me.  I  went  at  once  to  a  urove  some  <listance 
oil',  and,  falliuu:  iijton  my  knees,  ])rayed  as  I 
had  never  ju'ayed  liefoi-e.  I  had  been  askinjjj 
('io<l  to  make  me  ir<><Ml.  I  now  felt,  for  the  first 
tiiiK'.  that  1  was  a  pooi-  sinm'r  deservin.LC  Ilis 
disjih'asnr<' :  that  I  lia<l  insulted  Him  by  my 
emjity  jirayefs.  and  tliat  His  wrath  was  about  to 
lie  jxiured  out  u]>on  me.  1  im])lo!"ed  forjxivencss. 
\\'lien  I  arose  to  return  1  felt  unable  to  do  so, 
and  1  Iielie\cd  that  instead  of  u'ettinu:  better  I 
was  "hist."  I  fell  ujton  my  knees  au^ain,  and 
hei:^<-d  f(U"  mercy  with  all  tlie  ardor  of  my  na- 
tui'c.  It  \\a><  the  wailim:'  <'f  <lcs})air.  But  sud- 
denly my  hurilcii  jcfi  nic!  I  heard  no  sonnd.  I 
saw  no  ^iu'lii.  1  felt  no  i^apture.  Tranquillity 
iiMik  |>os-cssion  of  mc.  I  could  mit  understand 
the  clijiiiMc!  I  I'ctunied  to  the  hous(»  wonderini; 
wliai  it  iiicani.  The  calm  that  I  e\'])erienced 
SM'in  u'a \  e  iiic  uneasiness,  and  I  became  dis- 
I  i-essed  hecanse  I  could  Hot  feel  as  solicitous  as 
I  had  done  liefdre.  I  spoke  of  my  ])eri)lexity  to 
my  faihei-.  Mis  e\|i|anaiion  and  instruction 
coiiifMried  inc.  ;iii(|  I  fell  c;|M-('r  to  cou fcss  ("lirist 
hefi.re  Mie  wtirhl  and  lo  unite  with  ('hristians. 

it    was  not   then   the  cu><iom  to  receive  j)ersons 


Kdrhf    I ni jir(  ssi(nis 


13 


so  yoiiii^  and  small  as  I  was  into  a  I>a{»tist 
clnircli,  and  when  tlif  j>ast(ii-  was  informed  of 
my  wish,  he  and  the  deacons  held  a  conftTcncc 
to  consider  tiie  advisability  of  even  liearini^  what 
I  had  to  say.  They  finally  derided  to  do  so,  and 
my  exanunation  N\as  ri^id—  very  much  on  the 
order  of  the  cross-examination  of  a  witness.  At 
its  concdtision  the  ])astor  said  :  *'  \Vell.  my  little 
brother,  if  (iod  has  i-etei\ed  yon,  we  will  have 
to  <ht  so,  too." 

IJefore  the  arrival  of  the  day  a])|)ointed  for 
bai>tism  my  brother  Samuel  returnecl  houu',  hav- 
iiit;  be<-n  con\-erte(l  while  away.  lie.  bi-other 
Benjamin,  and  I  were  lta])tised  on  the  loth  of 
Septendter,  \s:V2,  by  I'hh-i"  .Ia<ob  \V.  Ilernditn, 
and  We  became  members  of  (!ood  Ilojte  Hajdist 
Church,  in  S]»ottsylvania  County. 

I  thou;;ht  then  that  all  chui'ch  members  should 
sit  together  in  tiie  "amen  corner";  but  as  I 
ftassed  on  my  way  to  it  one  of  the  priuuinent 
sisters  said,  "The  ^Mllery  is  the  place  f(U"  Ixiys." 
This  troubled  me.  I  went  to  the  gallery  a  few- 
times,  but  felt  out  of  jdace  there,  and  soon  re- 
sumed my  seat  amon^  the  mend)ers,  althomrh  I 
felt  that  my  doiuLT  so  was  consiilei-e(l  j)resum])- 
tuous.  15ui  my  duly  as  a  mend»er  of  the  church 
troubled  my  couscicnie  in  many  ways.  ()ur 
pastor  once  failed  to  atieml  luie  of  his  Sunday 
ap[)oiutments  when  a  lar^xe  coUi::i'eLrat  i<ui  had  as- 
sembled. .\fti'i'  waitiuLT  a  reasuualde  Ieui:tli  of 
time  for  him,  e\ ci'yliodx-  h-fi  without  liaNiiu; 
heard  a  ]U'ayer  (U*  suult  a  hxiiiu.  1  had  not  the 
couraire  to  say  auyihimx.  but  1  felt  uidiapjiy.  ami 
I  resolveil,  ( !od  heljiini:  me,  that  such  a  ihiuLT 
shouhi    not    occur   aLTaiu    wlim    1    was   pi-cseiii. 

Soon    after    ihe   silent    iiiceiJuLr    1    aiien«lcd    a 


14       Autoh'iography    of    John   E.    Musscy 

four  (lavs'  iiH'ctinfj:  in  a  <;r()V('  at  Mount  ITorinon 
('hurcli,  and  after  the  ])iTa('hin<::  was  over  I  folt 
an  irrcsistililc  ini])nls(>  to  make  an  exhortation. 
J?<Mn<;  small,  even  for  one  of  my  a<]^o,  I  stood 
upon  a  hcncii  and  talked  to  the  yonn<;  people. 
When  I  concluded  my  remarks  1  felt  that  I  had 
acted  obtrusively;  but  my  pastor  came  to  me, 
and  putting  his  hand  upon  my  head,  spoke  in 
a  way  to  encoura<;e  me. 

Not  lonuf  afterward  1  attc^nded  a  similar  meet- 
inij;  at  Antioch  Church,  in  Oranije  County,  and 
althouirh  I  was  not  ac(juainted  with  the  pastor 
or  meiid)ers  of  that  church,  I  had  a  feelin<]j  of 
dread  that  I  should  be  asked  to  say  somethin<j;. 
I  \\('nt  into  the  church  early,  and  took  a  seat 
behind  a  door.  Aft«'r  an  earnest  sermon  by 
lOlder  Powell,  and  an  a})]»arently  inelTective  ex- 
hortation from  the  ])astor,  the  former  looked 
over  to  nu*  and  said,  "  .My  little  brother,  can't 
you   talk  to  the  ]><'oj)le?  ^ 

The  brethnn  around  me  led  me  forward  and 
plac<'d  me  on  the  ]»uli)it  stejts.  I  felt  (Mubar- 
rassetl,  and  I  '•ommenced  by  sayinj;,  ''  Will  you 
hear  soiiietliiii^  from  a  little  boy?  "  I  have  neviT 
been  able  to  recall  anythini;  else  I  said.  My 
discomposure  left  me,  and  I  s]M)ke  as  the  spirit 
pivc   me  uttei'ance. 

The  etVect  amazed  me.  Men  and  women 
arose  in  evi.'ry  pai't  of  the  house,  crowded  around 
the  pulpit,  and  falliTi<^'  u])on  theii*  knees,  cried, 
"  I'ray  for  iiie!  ]>iay  f<»r  mel"  The  whole  cr)n- 
^'ir^'jtt ion  srcined  iiioNcd  as  I  never  saw  one 
in(t\<Ml  Ix'fort',  and  have  ncNcr  seen  on(^  so  uni- 
vci-sally  moved  since.  The  etfect  was  doubtless 
<lue  more  to  my  childish  ajfpearance  than  it  was 
to  anything  I  said. 


IJa  fly    I  nt  press  to  n  .<? 


15 


I  was  Ront  to  hotli  Sunday  and  *'  old-field  " 
schools  at  an  early  a^^c,  and  I  contiinicd  to  at- 
tend tlieni  until  I  was  fifteen  years  old.  Sunday- 
school  teachers  in  those  days  required  the  schol- 
ars that  could  read  to  coininit  to  memory  verses 
of  ScriptUH',  and  stimulated  them  to  do  so  !»y 
<^ivin^  them  tickets.  I  did  not  then  understand 
much  that  I  learned,  but  1  had  the  texts  st(U-ed 
away  in  my  miiul,  and  fotin<l  them  heljtful  in 
after  years.  My  Sahliaih-school  instructions 
were  the  best  training  for  the  ministry  that  I 
ever  had. 

Many  of  tlu^  "  old-tield  "  schoolmasters  were 
jioorly  (pialitied  for  their  vo<'ation.  They  were 
deticient  in  education,  and  unskilled  in  imjtart- 
in<;  what  they  knew.  Their  manner  of  teachini; 
j;rammar,  if  it  could  be  called  tea(•hin;^^  was  to 
re<iuire  i)U]>ils  t(»  learn  the  examples  under  the 
twenty-two  rules  of  Murray's  (Jrammar  and  to 
rej)eat  them  in  the  precise  lan^ua;.je  <if  the  book. 

The  "  rod  '*  was  an  important  adjunct  to  the 
teacher's  work.  It  was  usually  installed  in  a 
consj)icuoiis  ]dace  as  "Prime  Minister,"  but  it 
exerci.sed  the  functicuis  of  all  dej)art nients  of 
government — legislative,  judicial,  and  executive 
— and  was  emphatically  the  "  .Minister  of  War." 
"Aaron's  rod  that  budded"  was  scarcely  more 
awe-inspirin;^  to  those  that  beheld  it  than  the 
Iieda<2:o;^ue's  was  to  his  scholars. 

The  "  old-tleld  "  schoolhouse  was  usually  built 
of  unhewn  loirs,  with  the  s|)aces  between  tilled 
with  split  sa|)Iin^s  and  mud.  A  writing-desk 
was  constructed  in  one  end  of  the  house  by  fast- 
ening' two  j)lanks  in  a  slantiiiLr  positicui  on  a 
frame  about  four  feet  hi;^'h,  and  a  lo;^  was  left 
out  of  the  wall  a  little  above  this  desk  in  order 


in       Autohiography    of    John   E.    Massey 

to  irivc  liuMit  and  vcntilatidii.  The  beiiclu'S  were 
made  (»f  split  loLTs  sa\\t'(l  on  the  top,  with  le<;s 
driven  into  hoh's  bored  in  the  bottom.  They 
wci'e  often  so  hij^h  that  the  feet  of  the  snialh'r 
s<-holai's  coiibl  not  feach  the  tb)or,  whieh  was, 
in   many  cases,  the  bare  earth. 

The  books  ^^enerally  use<l  were  thi'  New  York 
S[>ellef.  Tike's  Aritlimetic,  and  Murray's  (Iram- 
mar.  .Many  seliolars  liad  no  rea(h'r  bnt  the  New 
Tesianieiil.  ( )ne  boy  that.  I  atteiKb'd  seliool  with 
liad  a  eo]>y  of  "  Koltinson  Crusoe";  anotlier  had 
•'  Pil;Lrrim"s  Pro_ij:ress  ■' ;  and  wlien  they  said  tlieir 
lessons  I  listened  with  admirini;  wondi'r,  be- 
lii'\in,Lr  the  narratives  to  be   verital)le  histories. 

riii»roniisinix  as  these  seliools  and  tlieir  envi- 
ronments were,  tlu'V  sent  forth  to  bless  niaidvind 
many  successful  doctors,  brilliant  lawyers,  dis- 
tiniruished  statesmen,  and  consecrate<l  ministers 
of  t  he  ( Ios]»el. 


The  LM'eatest  meteoric  <lispla,v  of  the  nine- 
teenth century  occurred  on  the  ni,u:ht  of  the  7th 
of  .\o\-eiiiber,  is.').'),  when  I  was  fourteen  years 
ohl.  I  refer  to  the  "falling  stars."  The  scene 
was  irrand  ami  beautiful  beyond  (h'scription,  and 
lasted  fr<un  before  midnii^ht  nntil  after  day- 
break, 'j'he  whole  heavens  seemed  to  be  on  tire, 
.and  the  sjiarks  to  l)e  descendinjj:;  instead  of  as- 
ceiidiuL:  The  (lownjtoiir  was  as  abundant  as  tlie 
fallinLT  of  hail  in  a  tierce  storm:  and  the  eartli 
wa--   liLTliled   uj)  as  ihouLTh   it    were  on   tire.      The 

teiTop    pTiiduced     aUloliL:    the    masses    (MU    be    l)Ut 

faintly  iiii;ii:ineil.  The  ncLriNM-s  ran  to  their  mas- 
i<i-s  f(ii'  protection.  .Men  and  women  left  their 
homes  and  ran.  screamini;  and  ]>rayin,<^,  to  their 
le'lirhltors'    houses,    which    they    ^jeiierallv    found 


Early    Imprcssiotifi 


17 


deserted.  It  was  (he  means  of  arousing  many 
j)ers(His,  both  white  and  Idack,  to  a  sense  of  the 
importance  of  hein^  prepared  for  (h'atii  and  the 
judgment-bar. 


In  lS.'{r>  I  atten(b'd  tlie  Virginia  I'aptist  Sem- 
inary, now  Kiehmond  CoUe^e.  I  walked  most 
(»f  tlie  distance,  sixty  mih's,  and  carried  my  l>e- 
htn^inijs  in  a  pinow-cas4'  swun;^:  over  my  shoul- 
der. 

At  the  Christnuis  vacation  I  started  home  on 
a  wa,t;on  that  was  to  ;^n)  to  a  point  within  ten 
mih's  of  my  father's  house.  A  heavy  rain,  and 
a  conse(iuent  risi'  in  a  I'iver  wc  had  to  cross, 
ren(h>red  the  bT'id<;e  owv  it  unsafe  foi-  the  wai^on, 
which  was  delayed.  I  crossed  ovei"  on  foot  and 
continue<l  my  journey  alone.  When  the  day  was 
nearly  ^one,  and  I  was  wet  and  i-iAd  and  huuLTi'y, 
I  ajijiroached  an  unj»relent ions  house  near  llie 
roadside.  A  W(Uiian  met  me  at  the  door,  and, 
in  re|)ly  to  my  re<iuest  to  be  allowed  to  sjx'ud 
the  ni^dit  there,  said  that  she  had  nothing:  for 
me  to  eat  and  no  bed  for  me  to  sleej)  in.  She 
had  several  children  and  she  was  \'ery  })ooi'.  I 
told  her  if  she  would  ;;ive  me  a  j»allri  hrforr  the 
tire  I  would  ask  for  nothing;  else;  and  she  aLTi'eed 
to  this*.  There  was  wood  in  the  coi-ncr,  and  1 
used  it  fi'cely ;  but  when  I  did  so  the  lliird  time 
the  woman  raise(i  u]>  in  bed  and  told  nie  1  must 
liurn  no  more  of  her  wood;  she  wanted  it  for 
the  morning.  I  jiromised  to  cut  iiuifc  if  slie 
Wdtlld  b't  lue  kee])  UJ*  tln'  life  tllfoUirll  IIh'  IMLdll  ; 
and  to  redeem  my  piNuiiise  1  ;ifose  at  dayliirht. 
In  (U'd<'r  to  do  so,  howcxer,  I  found  that  I  would 
have  to  take  a  dull  a\e,  ;,^o  some  distance,  cut 
(low  II  a  s;iplin^',  drajj;  it   to  the  house,  and  cut   it 


18       Aiitohiofjraphy    of    John   E.    Masficy 

ii|>.  Tlir  tiisk  was  sc'vcrc;  and  llic  tomptatioii 
to  altandon  it  <;ri'at.  I  had  had  iicitlicr  dinner 
nor  suj)jt('r  the  day  before;  1  was  weak,  and  the 
wcatlior  was  cold.  UvA  I  jxTsevered ;  an<l  after 
carrvini:  the  wood  into  the  honse  1  started  on 
iiiv  lonely  journey,  feeling  thankful  to  fhe  poor 
woman  for  shelter  and  lodginj; — poor,  indeed, 
hut    the  hest  she  could  ijive 

A  conij)etent  teacher  tau<i:ht  school  four  miles 
from  my  father's  in  ISliS,  and  durinj^  niv  walks 
to  and  from  that  scho(tl  I  believe  I  learned  more 
than  I  ever  did  before  or  since  during]:  the  same 
h-n;rth  of  time.  In  ]S'M  1  attended  Dr.  Gilles- 
pie's school  in  Louisa  County  for  a  short  while, 
and  the  followin;^  year  I  tau<::ht  a  lar<i;e  school 
in  that  c(uiiity.  In  1S41  I  re-entered  Richmond 
(  'oUeiXe. 

When  I  became  ei^^hteen  y<'ars  old  I  joined  a 
jai-i^e  \(»Iunteer  militai'v  com])any.  Soon  after, 
the  cajitain  resi;^nied,  and  I  was  elected  his  sue- 
cessoi'.  Some  oHicers  of  ihe  regiment  said  to 
me,  after  my  ele<-tion,  "  ^'ou  on_t;ht  to  tr<<it  your 
coiiij»any."  I  did  so.  feelini;  that  I  was  doinj:; 
w  romr  in  conformin;::  to  a  custom  I  <lid  not  ap- 
]»rove;;iad   I   ne\-er  repeated   it. 

Afici-  I  had  l)een  in  ofhce  several  years,  a  fur- 
nitui-e  (jeah'r  in  Richmond,  of  whom  I  was  mak- 
imr  j)urchases.  addressed  me  as  "'  Colonel  "  so 
fi-«'(jn!'nt  ]y  that  1  said  to  him  in  a  serious  toni\ 
'*  Ccrieral.  if  you  jdease — and  no  little  brii^adier 
at  tliat.  but  full  i^n-neral!"  lie  be<j^an  to  a])ol- 
<iL'i/.'';  said  he  knew  I  was  a  military  officer,  but 
diii  iKif  know  my  I'ank.  I  I'ejtliiMl.  "  I  am  neither 
.i:<'ii<'i-a  I  nor  cohuicl,  and  if  you  ar<'  .troin^  to  ^ive 
in.e  a  title  tli;it  doesn't  Ix'lon^  to  me,  ;j^ive  me 
ouf  wort h  luuiiiLr." 


Kn  rly    I  m  prrssifm  .s 


19 


Tho  hci^Mit  ti)  wliich  ;i  little  title  elevates 
soiiic  men  in  their  own  estimation  reminds  me 
of  the  story  of  the  man  just  elected  corjjoral. 
He  was  tellin;^  his  wife  of  the  honor  conferred 
uiMin  him;  his  children,  heafin;^  it  with  deli;j;ht, 
aske<l,  "  I'alher,  ain't   we  <ill  corporals?  " 

"  No,"  said  the  mother,  "  none  hut  your  fatfn  r 
and  /  ai'e  corpoi-als." 

After  leavinj;  c(dle<;e  I  studied  law  under  the 
instruction  of  Starke  W.  Morris,  Ks{[.,  of  Louisa 
Court  House.  \Vhile  doin^  this  I  worked  in 
my  father's  shop  in  the  day  and  studied  at  ni^'ht. 
My  father  was  a  farmer  and  a  mechanic.  I 
tnade  spinnin^-wheids  and  chairs  in  his  shop; 
these  I  took  to  Louisa  and  Spottsylvania  Court 
Houses  in  a  horse  cart  on  court-days,  and  thus 
earne<l  money  to  pay  for  my  law  hooks  and  my 
insti'uct  ion. 

I'rom  early  hoyhood  I  had  desired  and  ])ur- 
posed  to  he  a  lawyer.  When  the  oj)portunity 
came  to  prej>are  myself  for  it  1  was  fascinated 
with  its  study,  and  ajtjdied  myself  as  closely 
an<l  earnestly  as  my  circumstances  |)ermitted.  I 
was  licensed  for  its  j>ractice  in  \S\'A  hy  dudires 
Kichard  H.  l'i(dds,  .John  H.  Cloitton,  and  I'eter 
N.  Nichols.  Soon  after-  receivinij  my  liceiue  I 
w<'nt  to  Loudoun  County  to  practice  in  the  courts 
of  that  and  adjoiiiin<z;  counties. 


CllAPTKK     [I 

FUit.M  Tin:  I'.AK  TO  Tin;  rrLrrr 

Wiir.x  I  went  to  !>(»ii(ioun  County  to  jjractioo 
l;iw  I  t r;insfci'i<'(l  my  chiii-cli  iiiciiihci'sliii)  to  K(^- 
tortnii  ('luircli,  of  wiiicli  my  brotlicf,  Jos('])li  T. 
Mnsscy,  was  jiastnr.  1  liad  coiit  iimoiisly  taken 
jiaft  in  foliiridtis  scrNiccs — I  had  fcad  the  Scri])- 
tui'cs,  and  cxhoitcd,  and  pi-aycd  in  mcetinu's. 
S(((»n  aftcf  my  conni'ction  witli  K('toct<tn  ('lini'cli 
a  |ii'(»t ractcd  mcctinij:  was  hchl.  Ili^li  water  j)i'e- 
\rtii('d  the  ])r('ache]-s  that  expected  to  attend 
fi-niii  IxMii^  jtrcsent.  and  as  my  bi'otliei'  wislied 
iiic   to   assist    liim,    I    did    so    foi'  scvei'al   days. 

My  lii-othcf.  on  anothei'  occasion,  was  ])re- 
\fiitcd  by  sickness  in  his  family  fi'om  tillinij;  an 
ajtj)oiiii  mriit  at  Mount  Zion,  in  Herktdey 
('onnty;  aiid  lie  re(incsted  me  to  ^n)  in  Ills  stead. 
A  lai'irc  con^rci^at  ion  was  expect  in<j:  all-day 
jifcacliinLT.  1  was  in\ited  into  the  pnlpit,  but  I 
ln-efeiT'cd  to  I'cmain  in  front  of  it.  At  the  con- 
clnsioii  of  tjie  second  sci-vicc  that  day  a  collec- 
tion was  takfii.  and  I  was  told  it  was  their  cus- 
tom i(»  |i;iy  j)i-("acji('rs  foi'  their  services.  I  re- 
jilied  t!i;it  I  thon^lit  they  were  ri^iit,  bnt  that  I 
w;is  not  a  jircachcr.  "What  have  yon  been  do- 
imr  today  bnl    |irt>achinL:,'/ "  said   they. 

.\L;;iiii.  1  ailrndfd  a  iiiceiini:'  at  North  I'^oi'k 
<'l:ur<li.  in  Loudoun  ("ounly,  and  just  as  the  Sat- 
ucd;i\  M  r\i(cs  ddscd  the  pastor  was  ciilh'd  home 
be  illncvs  in  his  family,  lie  said  to  me,  "  I  will 
li;i\e  to  LLci  ydu  and   llroiher  iJichard  to  condin-t 


From     the    linr    to    the    I'tilpit  *J1 

the    services    Id  IlKHTuw  ."       Tlie     lie\l     lIinrnillLJ     I 

spdke  to  the  cdimfei^^at  imi  ill  my  iisii;il  way.  ami 
as  I  was  altout  to  fesiime  my  seat,  lildrr  Kieliai'd 
Ilermldii  took  Imltl  df  my  afiii  ami  said,  "It  is 
time  td  ^^d  ilild  the  pulpit."  Ilefdfe  real  i/.i  hl; 
what  it  imjtlied.  I  stalled  with  him.  Wln-n  altdiit 
half  way  up  the  ste[)s  I  jtaused,  not  iuidwim; 
whethef  tn  u'd  dii  di"  to  fetufii.  1  went  fdrward, 
hdW('\<'i',  and  seated  myself,  feelini;'  that  I  was 
dcciij>yiii,i;  sacred  uTdiiiid    withdul   a   fiirht    to  dd 

Sd. 

.My  desire  fr-diii  eafly  childliddil  was  to  l»e  a 
lawyer,  hut  (Idd  seeined  to  order  dthei-wise.  and 
I  fduud  myself  in  tin-  puljdt  wiihdut  intcudini; 
td  he  there.  I  had  heeil  dften  tdhl  thai  1  shduld 
jireach.  and  I  then  felt  that  I  shduld  scridusly 
and  j»rayerfully  c(»nsider  my  duty  in  the  matter. 
While  ddin;^'  so.  1  todk  charire  df  a  schodl  at 
Kaldeidwii.  in  .letfersdu  <"duniy.  then  in  \'ir- 
j^Miiia,  iidw  in  West  X'ifLrinia.  {'.efiu-c  the  year 
was  dtit    I   decide(j  to  liecitme  a   miinsier. 

The  I\eIdct(Ui  ("hurcli.  the  didest  llajilist 
church  in  \'ir;,nnia.  licensed  me  to  pi'each  du 
XdVendter  L'L',  JSJI.  1  \isiicd,  liy  in\ilaiidn. 
some  churches  in  I't-nnsyhaiiia,  and  was  in\itcd 
fd  hecdiue  Jiasldl'  of  si-XCial  of  them.  liUI  1  <h'- 
(dined  llidSe  calls.  '{"here  wa^  Ul'cal  destilutidu 
df  llaptist  {»reacliin^  in  the  X'alley  of  \"irL:iiiia. 
and  I  fi-li  imjM'llcd  to  lahor  ihci'c.  I  wa'^  or- 
dained dU  the  Idth  df  .lanuary.  l^ld,  at  Kdoc- 
tdti  (dnii-ch,  l»y  llldcrs  T.  I ).  llcindon,  duscpji 
T.  .Massey.  Thaddcus  lleiaiddii.  and  dohn  S.  Kcy- 
iidldsdii. 

Sdon  afiei-  my  ordinatidu  I  spent  a  niudit  with 
IJc\.  Thdrntdii  Si  rin^:fc||dw .  imr  nf  N'ii^inia's 
aldi'st    ]ireachers.      lie   said    Id   me : 


212       Aufohifxjrapliy    of    John   E.    Maf^scy 

*'  .M_v  vdun^  hi'othcr,  1  shall  jjjivc  you  soino  ad- 
vice that  an  old  hrothcr  ^^avc  iiic  when  I  roni- 
nifiiccd  ti»  j>r{';icli.  It  is  this:  You  will  meet 
iiiaii.v  things  (JuriiiLr  your  ministry  tliat  an*  un- 
aicouiitnhh  things  said  of  you  and  of  your 
work,  niiscoiisn-uct  ions  and  misrepresentations 
of  Ihin^rs  you  have  said  and  done,  and  ])reju(lices 
against  you — all  wholly  KiKiccoiinhihlr.  A  min- 
istei'  of  the  (losj)el  could  not  please  the  Devil 
better  than  by  wastinji'  his  time  to  (iccoiint  for 
iiti'iccoiinhiljh  s.  Lay  tiiem  down,  and  j^o  about 
your  Master's  business,  ^'ou  will  also  find  many 
im-iinihlc  thinu's — thinirs,  it  may  be,  that  you 
have  said  <u'  <ione,  that  you  truly  reji'ret  and 
\\(iuld  uladly  unsay  or  undo,  but  you  cannot. 
A  minister  of  the  (losjiel  could  not  please  the 
l)e\il  better  than  by  wastin;:;  his  time  to  cure 
iiicin-ahh  s.  Lay  them  down,  and  ^o  about  your 
Master's  ])usiness. 

"  I  did  not,"  contintied  Dr.  St rin,i:;fel]ow,  '' un- 
dersiaiHl  tills  ad\ice  when  I  received  it;  but  I 
understand  it  now.  and  have  ma<le  two  <jjreat 
jiiles!  ( )ne  (»f  II iKiccdinitiihlcs  and  one  of  iticiir- 
(ih/i  s-. " 

1  did  not  then  a])]»reciate  this  advice. 
"  W'jiat,"'  tlioimiit  1.  "  can  any  one  say  of  me?  I 
li;i\e  a  fair  recor(l  now,  and  I  shall  be  so 
.Liii;ir<le(l  in  the  future  that  1  shall  not  arouse 
l»rejU(li<(\  make  enemies,  or  i;ive  any  one  occasion 
to  say  niik  iiid  t  liinus  of  me." 

Alas,  alas!  how  little  I  knew  of  the  world,  of 
the    I  )(\il.   and    of   ///  //.s7  If! 

The  tifty-fi\c  years  I  have  liveil  since  that 
irHfr\ic\\  Iia\'e  been  full  of  unaccountables  and 
im  in;ibles.      [,    too,    have    made  a   <rreat  [)ile  of 


From    the    linr    to    the    I'lilpit 


28 


racli,  ;in<l  I  fear  I  sli;i]|  coiiiiniU'  ti»  ciihiri^c  tlifin 
until    I   am  calliMl  licncc 

Tlic  N'allcv  of  \'iri:iiiia,  lyiiiLT  l>ci  \\(M'Ii  the  I'.liic 
liiW^c  and  the  North  .Mountains,  is  al>out  tliii'ty 
miles  wide,  and  its  length  from  ilic  .Mainland 
line  to  Lc.xinirton,  N'ii'uinia,  is  aliout  one  liun- 
drt'd  and  sixty  miles.  This  is  one  id'  the  most 
beautiful,  jtoj)uIous,  and  |trodueti\'e  jxiriiiuis  of 
the  State. 

The  only  Missionary  r.a]»tist  (•Jiurches  in  this 
valley,  at  the  time  of  my  oi'<linal  ion,  wtTe  Mount 
Zion  in  iierkeley  ('ounty,  /oar  in  .letl'erson 
<"ouni\',  r.erryville  and  IJetlnd  in  riaike  ('ounty, 
and  I'rout  Koyal  in  Warren  ('ounty.  There  wci-e 
noiu'  in  I  he  count  ies  of  Shenandoah,  I'au'e,  Kock- 
inirham,  and  Auirnsta.  Ant  i-missiiui,  oi",  as 
they  called  tliems(dves,  '*  ( )ld-sclio(d  T.a  pt  ist  " 
churches,   were   more   numerous. 

The  Salem  I'nion  iMissionaryi  llaiitisl  .\sso- 
ciati(Ui  met  at  Cellar  ('reek  Church  in  I'redei-ick 
County,  in  ISlo.  .Mr.  doseph  ("olTman,  (Uie  of 
the  exctdlent  of  the  earth,  lia\in;i;  Itecome  lii'ed 
of  the  do-nothing  jiolicy  of  Ant  iiiomianism  in  his 
(■(Uinty  of  l{ockint;liam,  attended  the  .\ssocialion 
to  in\ite  its  ministei's  to  \isit  ids  county.  lie 
was  ad\  ised  to  in\ite  me.  .My  youlliful  api»ear- 
ance  and  my  inex|ierience,  as  he  t(dd  me  after- 
ward. ma<le  him  appi'eheiisi\ c  that  1  would  not 
he  aide  to  coidend  with  the  "hard  shells"  1 
shiuild  meet,  lie  tinally,  with  many  mis;^n\  iuLTs, 
invited  me.  I  accepted  his  in\iiati(Ui.  and  au- 
thoi'i/eil  him  to  make  two  apjMdntmeiiis  for  me 
for  the  Sahhath   1   was  to  l)e  with  him. 

The  novelty  of  heariuLT  a  "  \ew  schoidlVip- 
tist"  {)reacher  l>roUL,dil   out    larire  couLriei^at  ions. 


24       Autobiography    of    John   E.    Masscy 

I  null'  twenty-two  miles  to  my  moriiin*::  appoint- 
mnit.  and  six  to  tiiat  of  the  afternoon.  I  met 
there  an  old  brother  that  said  afterward,  '*  1 
feared  tiiat  you  irould  not  come;  and  when  you 
ro<ie  up.  I  wished  you  }i(i(I  not  comC' — a  nu're 
lioy  instead  of  the  man   I  exix'ctedl" 

There  were  many  denominations  and  mueh 
preaching,  such  as  it  was,  in  the  Valley;  but 
liiei'e   was  ^M-eat    <learth   of  (lospel   ])reachinLj. 

I'rom  that  time  forth  I  traveled  constantly 
fi'om  Martinsl>ur^^  in  J^.erkeley  County,  to  the 
county  line  of  Au;^usta — about  one  hundi'cd  and 
twenty  miles — and  jircached  wherever  I  could,  iu 
chui'ches,  ych()olhouses,  ])rivate  houses,  proves, 
and  once  in  the  u])])('r  story  of  a  distillery.  On 
the  loth  of  Novend>er,  1X4."),  Salem,  the  tirst 
Missionary  Uaptist  church  of  Kockinjjjham,  was 
constituted,  and  it  consisted  of  twelve  mendters. 
About  this  time  J)r.  Kobert  Kyland,  of  sacred 
piemory,  visited  the  Valley;  and  ui)on  his  return 
to  Richmond  had  me  a])[)ointed  a  missionary  of 
the  ^'i^l,^nia  Hajitist  Association,  which  relation 
continued  until   I  left  the  Valley  in  IS^t. 

Hitter  denonnnat  ioiuil  feeling  was  ex])resscd 
in  those  days  in  lani;ua,i;e  that  was  crude  and 
uncouth;  and.  after  lunini:  had  a  variety  of 
e\{>eriences,  I  no  lonirer  wondei-ed  that  the  name 
"Uaptist"  was  unpopular  in  the  Valley.  \ 
fninid  that  I  was  between  the  up]»er  and  nether 
millstones;  that  I  had  to  steer  my  course  be- 
tween I'aedobapt  is(s  on  one  side  and  Old-school- 
r.;!|i1ists  on  tti<"  otlii'r,  as  carefully  as  if  I  were 
sailiiiLC  between  Scylla  and  Chiu-ybdis.  Mission- 
ary Maptists  were  uiduinwn  in  a  lari^e  jtoi'tion 
"f  the  \'alley;  and  1,  yonni;  and  inexjx'i-ienced, 
was    the    only    missionary    Haptist    preacher   be- 


Fniin     tJtf    liar    to    the    I'liljnt  Uo 

twccii  W'iiiclicslcr  and  Lcxint^loii.  Ant  iinissii>n 
IJaplists  were  coiiijiarat  i\  dv  mniH-ritiis,  ami  had 
<|uit<'  a  miiiiltcr  of  cliiirclK's.  Tlic  clian^ri's  that 
liavc  takt'ii  ])lacr  since  that  tiiiu'  ai-c  tnilv  wdii- 
(irrfnl.  Aiit  i-niissii»n  Haptists  haNc  Ix-conir  al- 
iiKist  extinct,  while  iiiissioiiafv  JSajitists  have  in- 
(Ti-ased. 

On  Autxiist  lid,  1S47,  I  was  married  j)y  my 
Itrolher  lo  Mar.u:aret  Ann  Kahle,  danirhler  uf 
.John  Kalde,  I^s(j.,  of  Kahletoun,  .leil'ersun 
<  '(umly,  \'iri;inia. 

After  our  mai-riat;*'  we  lived  se\en  years  in 
I  larrisonhni'L:,  \'ir;^inia.  There  was  no  Uajttisr 
church  there,  so  1  rented  a  hall,  emidnyed  a  si-x- 
toii.  furnished  liii;his,  and  |»reached.  It  was  nat- 
ural that  those  denominations  that  hail  estate 
lisjied  churches  there  should  oj>})ose  newcomers 
entering;  their  tields,  and  this  was  fully  demoii- 
strateil  in  my  experience.  I  met  tierce  o|)jiosi- 
tion  on  all  sides;  yet  this  was  a  liapl'>  i>eriod 
of  my  life. 

The  LTrowth  of  llaptist  sentiment,  the  helief 
in  najttist  ]trinciitles  and  doctrines,  and  the  in- 
crease i>f  r.aptisis  and  i'.aptist  churclies  in  the 
\'allev  ha\('  iiKU'e  than  met  my  ant  ici[)at  ions. 
There  are  now  two  tiourishini;  missionary  i'.ap- 
tist associations  in  this  tield  the  .XuLTUsia  As- 
sociation, with  thirty-three  churchfs  and  ',V.\\^\ 
mendters.  and  the  Slienamhiah  .\ssoci;i(  ion,  with 
tweiityfiiur  ciiiircjies  ami  '_'.")■_' 1  memhers.  ( )f 
these  lifiy-se\en  cliurcln's.  forty-ei^hl  ha\f  been 
const  i  luted  since  I  he  spring  of   1>I  I. 

in  I  >r>  I  I  acc<'iitc(l  calls  to  ilie  pasim-ates  of 
.Mt.  I]d  ("liurcli  in  A  lliem;ii-h',  ami  lieln'on  and 
Adiel  churches  in  Nelson  ('ounly.  I  hoardrd 
with    .Mr.    .loel    Smith,    wli(t    li\cd    near   the    line 


2(>       Autoh'ujgraphy    of    John   E.    Masscy 

iH'twccn  llic  two  ('((iintics,  for  two  years;  and 
(Liii'in;LJ:  that  time  .Foliii  lirown  sjx'iit  sovoral 
(lays  there.  lie  introduced  himself  as  Dr.  Mc- 
Laiie.  and  professed  t(»  he  treatinfj  cases  of 
hernia.  lie  said  to  me  tliat  very  few  people 
had  any  idea  how  many  negroes  were  atliicted 
with  it;  and  he  stayed  witli  them  every  oppor- 
tunity he  could  ii'et.  The  horse  he  drove  was  a 
i;oo<l  one,  and  in  his  lii^ht  wai^on  he  carried 
trusses.  He  was  intelliuvnt,  well  informed, 
])leasant  in  manners,  at'fected  ^reat  piety,  and 
seemed  familiar  with  the  Hihle.  He  wished  me 
to  make  an  appointment  for  him  to  preach.  The 
instinctiv*^  feclin*^:  that  he  was  not  what  he  pro- 
fessed to  he  made  me  <lecline  to  do  so.  I  visited 
the  jail  in  which  he  was  ini})risoned  after  his 
Ilarj>er"s  I'erry  raid,  and  at  once  recofijnized  him 
as  the  jti'etcnded  "Di".  McLane." 

In  1S»;l*  my  health  failed  and  I  had  to  discon- 
tinue all  jtastoral  lahor.  I  ])urchase(l  Ash  Lawn, 
a  farm  in  Alhemarle  County  that  had  once  been 
the  home  of  President  Monroe;  and  my  family 
has  resi<h'd  there  ever  since. 


rilAPTKK    ITT 

IMiMTK'AI,      AriII,IATlo\S 

My  father  was  an  "  old-line  W'hitr."  an<l,  lie- 
lievin;;  he  nnist  he  rJLTht,  1  aecejited  his  jtnlilical 
sentiments.  After  I  eoniiiienreil  pract  iciiiLr  hiw 
I  nia(h'  sjteeehes  in  a<l\(icacv  of  thi-  fhciiun  <tf 
Henry  (May.  When  1  cntcrfd  the  niinisiiy  (»f 
the  (lospel  I  ceased  acti\c  jiaiM  id  jiat  ion  in  pol- 
itic.^. 

Kockin^hani  Connty,  where  I  I'l-sidcd  for 
ahont  ten  years,  was  the  "'I'mlh  Leirion  of 
Democracy'";  an<l  althonirh  thci-r  were,  I  Illild^, 
at  least  ten  times  as  many  I  )ciiioci-;its  in  the 
connty  as  there  were  Whius,  1  \(itc(|  mint'  Init 
Whi.i;  tickets. 

Jnst  hefore  liecominjj:  a  citizen  of  .Mhi-marle. 
which  was  largely  a  Wliii:  connty.  I  \isiicd  my 
brother  .Iosc|th.  w  ho  was  then  jiasior  of  Hn-  I'irsi 
Itaplist  ('hni'ch  in  llellinLiIiam.  .Mas-saclinscns. 
I  tra\('led  thronLTh  t he  M  iddh' and  New  ilnirland 
States,  and  what  I  saw  and  hf;iril  dnrinu'  my 
sojoni-n  in  them  con\ince<l  nic  thai  nonr  hnt  the 
Democrats    were   friemls  of    the    Sonih. 

This  led  me  to  examine  hkh'c  cnrcfnljy  ihan 
I  had  done  hefoi-c  the  d  ill  Vi't'iici'  Im'Iwci'Ii  ihi-  Iwo 
jiarties.  I  found  lln'  fniHlamental  dinVrincc  lic- 
twee?i  them  lo  he  thejr  diriereiil  cdlisl  iMKlioiis 
of    the    <  "oust  iinl  imi    of    the    I'liiied    Si;ites,    ;ind 

their    resjiecliNC   estimates   of    iheil-   iihlJLMt  i'Ml-^    lo 
ohey    it.        l)emoerals    ;id\(ic;iled     strict     coiislrnc- 

tion  of  the  ( 'oust  iint  ion  and  com|diance  with  its 

■27 


28       Autohioijruphy    of    John    E.    MchS'scy 

rciiuircnu'iils:  \Vhijj;s  julvocatcd  latitudiiious 
const  ruction  of  it,  and  did  not  seem  \villin<i^  to 
he  u^ovcrncd  l)y  its  rcMinircnicnts  and  restrictions. 
From  tliis  loose  idea  of  fundamental  law  they 
were  naturally  led  into  loose  lei^islation  and  sec- 
tional ])rejudices.  The  Democratic  Jiarty  was 
national:  the  Whij;  P'^i'ty,  iu  the  North,  was  sec- 
tional. 

These  facts  caused  me  to  change  my  political 
opinions  and  alliliations,  and  kept  me  in  the 
nunority — a  Whig  in  the  Democratic  county  of 
liockingham,  and  a  Democrat  in  the  Whig 
county  of  Alhemarle. 

^Vhen  South  Cai'olina,  anticii)ating  the  conse- 
quences that  would  follow  the  election  of  a  sec- 
tional Presi(h'nt,  witlulrew  from  the  Fech'ral 
Til  ion,  my  hrother-indaw  in  Pennsylvania  wrote 
me:  "We  are  organizing  a  regimr^nt  to  tender 
to  the  President  to  be  ready  at  forty-eight  hours' 
notice  to  co<'rce  South  Carolina  back  into  the 
Pnion." 

I  wi-ote  him  the  following  letter  in  reply: 

"  Di:.\R  Sir:  Your  favor  of  tlie  25th  instant 
came  to  hand  last  evening,  and  I  liasten  to  re])ly. 

*'  Prioi"  lo  my  entrance  into  the  Christian  min- 
istry I  was  an  active  ])art icijtant  in  th(»  ])olitical 
(|Uesti(Uis  of  the  day.  Since  that  time  I  hav(\ 
with  vcT-y  few  exce]ttions,  entirely  refrained  from 
any  j»art  icijtation  in  them.  I  have  a  higher  and 
a  iMtliei'  work  to  ])ei'foi'm.  which  neith<M'  my  own 
inclinaiion  noi*  my  sense  of  duty  will  e\'er  allow 
me  lo  negh'ct  foi'  such  a  ]uii'])ose.  Such,  I  be- 
li('\('.  h.'is  been  the  uniform  course  of  my  minis- 
tering brethren  in  the  SouthcT'ii  States.  They 
have  siiown  that   thev  understand  it  to  be  tlieir 


Polit ica I    AffiHution.^ 


29 


hnsincss  to  j^rcach  the  (l()s|>t'I,  and  to  '  l<-t  the 
(lead  bury  their  dead.'  Wf  have  licfii  ilt-cply 
jjricNcd  at  the  Immiliat ini;  sjx-riarlc  rxhiliiicd  hy 
a  larp'  jtortioii  (tf  tln'  miiiistrrs  of  the  dilVcrcnt 
dciioininatioiis  in  tlir  Nortli»'i-ii  Staifs,  wlm,  for- 
j^t'tful  or  unmindful  of  tlicir  lii^^h  and  Imly  call- 
inj;,  liavede^^n-adcd  tlir  i»uli»it  to  a  iiitTc  juditii^al 
arena;  who,  instead  of  hihopjuL:  with  an  huiidde, 
yet  firm,  ndiance  ujxui  the  aid  nf  the  Holy  (ihost 
to  infuse  into  tlie  heafts  of  ihejr  hcircrs  the  pure 
principles  of  the  (iosj»el.  ha\e  jirnused  the  worst 
f<'elin^s  of  passion  and  ju'ejndice  hy  iln'  most 
intlammatory  haranirues,  teeminu'  witli  misi-epre- 
sentation  an<i  ext  ra\"aLraiiee.  and  i-oiiiaininL:  ju^t 
such  an  admixture  of  half  fletiui'd  i-rliLrious 
truths  as  was  necessary  to  inspii'e  ilieir  ile|nde<l 
liearers  Avitli  tlie  idea  that  they  were  disehari:- 
in^'  re]i;^^ious  dtities,  and  actini:  undei-  the  sanc- 
tion of  ( "hrist  iaiuty,  while  \  iitlai  inu'  aliiiosi  ,-\i'vy 
Christian  ])rece|(t  ami  lU'imijile.  Vfi.  axii-seas 
I  am  to  ev<'n  an  a|t|tareni  tlepariure  fi'oin  tie' 
le<j:itimate  liusiness  of  the  <!ospel  minister.  lie- 
lii;:h  rcLrard  I  ha\('  for  you,  and  the  pi-ofouiid 
concern  I,  in  common  with  all  lo\crs  of  ju^iice. 
jx'ace,  atid  order,  fed  at  the  periloii-^  condiiion 
of  our  ()]]{■('  hapjty,  ]U'os[ierou--.  and  uiiiii-d.  I'Ui 
now  sad,  ItliLThted.  and  di\idrd  nation,  imjn  1  mi' 
to  express  myself  upon  thai  poiiidn  of  \our 
letter   which    refei-s   to   (.ur   naiional    ini'f'-^is. 

'*  "\'ou  say:  'The  North  and  \\i->t  are  now 
thorouLThly  aroused,  and  they  ;ne  drinaiiimd 
that  the  rnion  niu^i  and  shall  \>r  pres,i-\  ,d. 
c(une  \\liat  may.'  Had  this  (h\Miion  to  the 
I'nion  been  felt  .and  manifevicl  in  iIh'  riudit 
direct  ion  at  a  ti  earlier  da  tr.  this  sent  j  up  mi  i  w  ould 
have    called     forth    bmi:,     loml.    and    lieariv    re- 


30       Autobiography    of   John   E.    Masscy 

spouses  of  np])rol)nt ioTi  from  nil  parts  of  our 
iKtltlo  CoiiftMlcrjicy.  liut  T  liave  most  sorioiis 
a]>])i"('li('nsioiis  tliat  this  desire  to  save  tlio  T'^nion, 
by  those  of  Nvhom  you  sj)eak,  is  botli  ill-timed 
and  misdirected. 

''It  must  1)0  a])parent  to  ovoi-y  thoufxhtfiil.  in- 
telliixeiit  man  that  th<'  union  of  sovercii^n  States, 
eud)racinu:  almost  evei'v  variety  of  soil  and  cli- 
mate, whose  interests  ai*e  as  varied  as  their  soil, 
climate,  and  diversitied  ])ursuits  can  render 
tliem  in  a  purely  re})ublican  fjovernment,  can 
only  he  ]»i'eserved  by  a  strict  observance  of  the 
j)rincip]es  of  rii^ht  and  justice  by  the  citizens 
of  each  State  to  those  of  all  the  other  States; 
and  by  the  faithful  compliance,  in  every  part  of 
the  Tnion,  with  all  the  articles  of  a<:^reement 
entered  into  in  its  formation.  A  TTnion  of  inde- 
pen<lent  sovereiixn  States,  in  which  these  ])rin- 
ci]»les  are  disregarded,  needs  no  forei<j::n  foe  to 
ovei'tui'n  it.  It  contains  the  elements  of  destruc- 
tion within  itself  which  will  as  certainly  work 
its  T'uin  as  cause  ])ro(luces  its  lejxitimate  etTect. 

"Have  these  principles  been  faithfully  ob- 
served in  all  ])arts  of  our  T'nion?  If  so,  what 
has  j)i'oduce(l  from  one  exti'cmity  of  it  to  the 
other  this  alarmiujii;  state  of  a]>prehension  which 
so  much  T-eseiid»les  the  death  throes  of  a  mirrhty 
nation?  The  time  ^\•as  \\lien  ]>olitically  we  had 
no  Xoi'th,  no  South,  no  ICast,  no  West  I  South 
^'ai'olina  and  .Massachusetts,  Maine  and  (Jeor- 
iria.  l'eTinsyl\ania  ami  ^'iT'•xinia,  wove  sepai'ated, 
it  is  true,  liy  i:eoi;i';iphical  limits,  ])ut  were  l)ound 
tou'eiher,  not  siiiijtly  l)y  cold  atid  formal  aijjree- 
iiieiits  s])read  on  ])archment,  but  bv  the  warmc^st 
ties  of  rrieiidshij).  into  the  clos(>st  bonds  of  a 
common  lirotiierhood.     Then  the  citizens  of  each 


Poiiticdl    Affiliiiti'))i.s 


31 


portion  of  our  CoiifcdtTacy  rf(fi\ cd  a  cordial 
wclcoiiic  in  (•^■('I•v  other  jtoiiion  of  it,  and  iiinttial 
roiitidrUfc  cliafacicrizcd  tin-  inti'iToui'sr  lu-iwi-cn 
tli(»st'  who  occiiiticd  its  most  uj)]Kisitt'  ext fi'iiifs. 
Ahis!  ahis!  how  chaiiiz'fd  !  Who  that  is  i;j;iio- 
rant  of  oiif  historv.  when  xicwinL:  thi'  sectional 
divisions,  the  jiartv  strifes,  and  the  hitlef  feej- 
iniTs   that   ai-e  seen,  lieafd,  and   feji    in  oiii-  laud 

ffolil  its  celltef  to  its  cir(  lllll  fei'ence,  could  l>e- 
lie\e  that  we  a  fe  (iile  JM-Dplc.  hound  Io;^etheI'  Unt 
onlv  hy  honds  of  cdniinoii  iuiei-esi  ;iud  safety,  hut 
hy  the  closest  and  ileafest  ties  of  c(UisaiiLruiniiy ? 
What  has  jiroduceil  this  deplofahje  chaise? 
Ila\e  the  Southet'ii  Slates  comiuitted  a n \'  acts  of 
air.i^fession  ujton  their  hi-ethfen  of  the  Northern 
States?  IIa\('  tliey  \i(daled  their  const  it  ui  ioual 
conipacls,  ()]■  their  ( "oniri-essiona!  coiuiiroinisrs? 
Ila\t'  tjiey  tres|);issed  upoti  their  fiuhts.  either 
local  or  jiolitical?  lla\c  they  iii\adcd  their  soil 
and  souuhi  to  snh\ert  t  heir  i:o\crnini'nl '.'  What 
interference   uiili    tlie  State  so\ creiLiiity,   the    iti- 

tertial  Jiolicy,  I  lie   doiuesi  ic    rela  t  i  oils,  ol'  t  he  peace, 

safety,  haiipiiiess,  and  jirospcrity  of  iln'  North- 
ern States  are  tlie  Soiitliern  States  uuiliy  of? 
So  far  from  exhihiiiiiir  any  fcijiim'  <d"  hostility, 
ju'ejudicr.  or  unkimlness  toward  ilicm,  ilie\  ha\t' 
souLTlit  i)y  i-\i-ry  hiuioi-jhlr  nn';in^  to  cujii\aie 
the  most  fi-ati'iMial  intercourse  with  them.  Tliey 
ha\e  furnislied  them  witli  a  laruc  [loriiou  of 
their  <iaily    food,  and   the   niaiiiial   for  their  y;\\ 

niellt.  'j'liey  ji;i\e  consented  to  he  he,i\ily  laXi'd 
hy  tlie  iniposiliou  of  hiirll  dulie<  ou  t^oods  of  foi'- 
eii:n  manufacture,  to  su--iaiii  N'oiihein  manu- 
facturers. They  lia\c  furnished  ;i  coincii  ii-tit . 
safe,  and  ju-olitahle  market  f(U'  the  prodmts  of 
the  lahors  of  N'ortherti  mechanics,  and  the  niatni- 


[V2       A  ut(>l)i«>(jra})]n/    of    Join}    E.    Maxxcy 

faclnri's  of  Xortlici'ii  (•n])it;i1ists.  Tli(»y  liave 
sent  their  sons  and  (lauu'litci's  to  Xoi'thorn 
schools  and  collciics,  and  liavc  cniidoyod  th('  sons 
and  (huiLrlitcrs  of  Xortlicrn  States  to  occnpy  po- 
sitions of  honor  and  ])T'otit  in  tlicir  midst.  And, 
until  s(df-j)i'('S('rvat  ion  inijxdlcd  ns  to  a  dilTci-ent 
coui'sc,  the  Northt'i'n  citizen  \\"as  not  only  re- 
ceived in  oni'  hollies,  at  our  firesides,  out*  tahU'S. 
and  our  family  altars,  Init  was  Lireeted  with  a 
welcome  warm  as  the  sunny  (dime  in  wirudi  we 
live,  and  made  to  feel  that  he  beloufi'ed  to  the 
family  cii'(de  rather  than  that  he  was  a  sti-anu'er 
in  a  land  of  st  i-a liters,  ^\'llat  uni'easonahle  de- 
mands have  the  Southei'U  Slates  ma<le  u]K)n  the 
North?  They  have  simply  askcMl  thai  llieir  just 
and  eipial  ri.Lihts  in,  and  to.  the  Teri'itories, 
which  are  the  common  ])ropei'ty  of  the  whole 
nation,  shall  he  |)ro]terly  i-ecojiinized  ;  and  to  be 
let  alone  in  the  jiossession  of  their  pT'oj»erty,  in 
the  manai^eiiient  of  their  inteiaial  alTairs,  and  in 
their  domest  ic  relations  and  institutions.  Have 
these  self-e\ident  rights  Iteen  enjoyed  by  the 
South?  IJow  has  the  Xoi'th  I'ecijU'ocated  S(Mi1h- 
eiai  hospitality  and  coiitidence?  l.et  facts  an- 
swer, in  numerous  instances,  while  citizens  of 
the  North  lia\'e  been  etijoyinii'  the  hosi)itality 
and  contideiice  of  their  Southern  entertainers, 
they  lia\e  repaid  that  liosj)itality  and  abused 
that  contideiice  liy  jmblishini;  to  the  world  the 
most  exaLi'Lj:erate<l  and  prejudicial  accounts  of 
Southern  domestic  relations  and  manau^eineiit  ; 
and  by  scckini;",  clandestinely,  to  infuse  the  most 
e\il  tlioiiLihts  and  |iur|)oses  into  the  minds  of 
the  ser\ants  of  Southern  households.  Nortli- 
cfiicrs  lia\e,  in  \iolati(ui  of  both  human  and 
d,i\iiic   law,   <'ncoiii'ai:vd   and   aided   our  servants 


I'oliticdl    A/Jiliddons 


:v.\ 


t(»  cscajK'  fi'diii  their  I'iulitful  nwni-rs;  niui  liav.-, 
under  false  jtreieiises,  ••Idaiiied  iheir  lalior  with- 
out ^Mviiii;  them  a  |ti-u|ier  (Minivah-iU  foi-  it 
tlius  (h'ffainliui;  Ixtili  the  ser\aiit  ami  his  owiiei- 
— and  ha\e  show  ii  their  uwnefs  ^■\^^l■\■  coneeiv- 
alde  imli;;iiity  and  \iuleiice.  and  iiiier|i(isi'd  e\ery 
conceixatde  (ilisiacle  in  the  way  id'  their  reelania- 
tion  l>y  either  ow  Ilels  nr  the  nlVieers  of  the  i'ed- 
eral  ( io\ ci'iiinent.  Northerners  haM-,  hy  their 
ieirislat  i\ »'  eiiaeinients,  ntillitied  the  laws  of  rnn. 
^^ress,  treateil  with  contenijit  the  deeisitm  id  the 
Sujtrellie  ("olirl  of  tlie  rilited  Slates.  ai\d  vin- 
lated  hoili  in  letter  and  spirit  the  saereil  imii- 
paet  nnder  which  nur  I'luuii  was  farmed.  They 
lia\t' — hy  armed  force,  oruain/ed  and  ei|ni|iiMil 
in  their  midst  forcildy  denied  the  ciiix;ens  of 
the  Southern  States  an  eipial  jtart  ici|Kil  iofi  in 
the  rights  to  the  Territories  which  were  joint 
jtrojM'fty.  Not  content  with  ninrderiiiLr  our  cii  i- 
zeiis  abroad,  tht\\'  ha\e  in\adeil  oiir  own  Stale 
and  she(l  \'ir;^iinans'  Idood  njmn  N'ir^inia's  soil. 
And  when  the  foul  fiends,  who  had  soiiLThl  to 
apjdy  the  midni;^lit  toi'ch  to  the  dwellimrs  of 
lieljtless  women  and  unconscious  lialn-s,  and  to 
delude  our  land  with  the  hjood  of  its  iidiat»i- 
tanis,  re<-ei\-eil,  as  they  so  richly  de>vri\  ed,  the 
felon's  doom,  they  were  caiioni/.ed  and  almost 
deitied  hy  their  cowardly  allies,  whose  only  \ir- 
tue  consisted  in  their  sirid  ot)sei-\ance  of  the 
'first  law  of  nature,'  which  they  took  care  to 
ohsei-\e  liy  kee|iini{  al  a  safe  disiame  from  llie 
traudf  scenes  that  resulted  from  tln-ir  own  e\il 
counsel   and   emourauemeiiis. 

'■  Northerners  have  sought  to  corrupt  our  serv- 
ants  and    to    render    them    unliap|ty   and   discon 
tented;  and,   h\    lra\elitiLr  einissaries   and    iiu'cn- 


34       Autohiography    of   John    IJ.    Masscy 

diary  pnblicalioiis,  are  now  iiicitinu'  tliein  to 
iiU'ciidiary  insurrection,  and  to  every  si)eeies  of 
brutality  and  wickedness. 

"  And,  as  the  crowninj:;  act  of  a  series  of 
wronjT^s  almost  without  a  ])arallel,  when  one  of 
the  original  thirteen  states,  that  joined  in 
fraininji;  a  confederacy  of  sovereipi  States  for 
the  nuitual  benefit  and  safety  of  the  whole,  has 
been  driven,  by  unendurable  wrongs  and  injus- 
tice, to  withdraw  from  a  confederacy  in  which 
she  could  no  longer  remain  with  safety  or  honor, 
you  .say:  'We  are  oruanizinji^  a  regiment  here 
to  tender  to  the  President  at  48  hours'  notice.' 
The  object  of  this  regiment  is,  you  say,  to  aid 
in  '  co(M*cing  South  Carolina  into  tlie  Union.' 

"Are  there  no  graves  in  Pennsylvania?  Are 
her  citizens  reduced  to  such  poverty  tliat  they 
cannot  obtain  a  s])()t  of  earth  large  enougli  to 
give  their  bones  a  resting  ])lace?  Or,  are  they 
ambitious  to  leave  them  to  bleach  u])on  South- 
ern soil?  South  Carolina  may  be  a  'lone  star' 
from  our  banner  now;  but  the  tirst  attempt  to 
invade  her  territory  with  hostih^  intent  will 
make  her  the  center  of  a  constellation,  whose 
liglit  will  not  be  dimmed  till  every  star  has  faded 
fi'om  our  national  tlag,  leaving  only  the  strijx^s 
as  tit  mementoes  of  the  torn  and  lacei'ated  con- 
dition of  the  once  n(»b]est  and  loN'eliest  pi(M'e  of 
j)olitical  architecture  ever  drafted  by  an  uniu- 
spii'cd  ]H'n. 

"T  yield  lo  no  man  in  devotion  to  the  rnion, 
as  long  as  it  can  be  jji-esei'vcd  u]»<)n  e(]iial.  (Mpiit- 
a])le,  and  honorable  i)rinei])les.  1  once  tlioiight 
'dissolution'  a  sacriligious  word;  and  b»ng  and 
ai'dently  I  chei-ished  the  hopc^  that  the  day  never 
would  arrive  when  calm,  deliberate  men  would  be 


Political    Afjilidti'ins 


;{") 


(li'ivcn  to  (Ircidc  that  a  diss-ilui  i-m  of  this  (iiic- 
^'lorious  rnioii  would  lie  tli*-  Icasi  .-vil  i»f  ilir  al 
tcriialivcs  tliat  they  liad  tn  rlKMt-^r  Iti't  w  t-.n.  Hut 
that  hope  jMiIsairs  so  frchly  iio\\  that  it  scafcfly 
{^ivt's  even  the  faintest  cvidriicr  uf  life.  1  can 
conceive  of  hut  (tne  j»ossihle  way  of  jU'esefviiiL; 
tlie  riiion.  That  way  is  for  the  Nofiheiai  States 
to  aliamhm  coinph'tely  that  eoufse  nf  |iiilie\ 
which  lias  jiroduced  the  pfeseiii  ci-isis,  and  to 
^■i\-e  to  the  Sontliefii  Stales  sufe  Lrnai'aniie^  that 
their  rii^lits  will  he  |>fo|iefly  fisjMMled  in  the 
fntni'e.      Not   oidy  must    this  he  doiu-  siifejy.  hut 

it   must   he  done  s[ dily,  of   it    will   he  too   late. 

Judirin^'  from  the  jtasi,  I  lia\c  tuit  litth'  lioiie 
that  this  will  he  done.  iJelKc,  1  lia\e  hut  lillh' 
llojM'   that    the    rnioii    will    he   J)feSfi-\  (•(!.       My   liope 

of  the  forniei"  is  just  as  sifon::;  as  my  ho|M'  uf  the 
lattei'.  These  afe  not  mefidy  my  seiiiimenis, 
hut  the  ]»i'e\airni,Lr  seiilinienls  of  the  South,  ^'ou 
will  see,  tlierefoi-e,  that  the  \(U-lh  and  West  ai-e 
not  the  only  jxii'lioiis  of  the  rnjiui  that  afe  thof- 
(luj^dily  afoused. 

"  If,  howi'\ef,  (he  days  of  the  I'niiui  lie  num- 
hcfed,  as  I  feaf  they  ate,  ami  a  sepafaliou  of 
those  composing  it  must  take  jdace,  is  waf  in 
evitahle?  Uecause  the  I'liiou  was  •cemented  hy 
the  Mood  of  (Mlf  sifes.'  must  it  neecv<afil\-  he 
dissoh'ed  hy  the  hlood  of  theif  soii^'.'  1  yei  hope 
tliefe  is  too  much  wisdom  and  \ii-iue  oij  hoih 
sides  of  the  (pU'sliiui  lo  i na uu'ii r;ile  such  a  fi'iLTn 
of  teffof  as  a  eivil  waf  wiuild  he.  Wliai  iicuciii 
could  jxissihiy  eiiufe  lo  eiihef  pa  li  y  h.\  waf  and 
hloo(isiied?  It  is  contende<l  hy  some  llial  the 
South  has  all  to  h.ve.  an.l  the  Nmih  all  lo  umin. 
That  the  S(Uiih  will  h'se  mm'li  hy  sucji  a  I'onlliet 
I    will    n(tt   deiiv.      I'.iit    will    not    tin'    NiU'lh    lose 


3G       Autobiography    of   John   E.    Massey 

also?  Does  any  man  inia<j:ine  that  such  a  war, 
wlien  once  commenced,  will  cease  till  it  burns 
into  the  vei'v  heart  of  the  froe  States?  He  who 
expects  this  lias  but  half  counted  the  cost;  rely 
upon  it,  all  the  lives  and  propi^'ty  that  will  be 
sacrificed  will  not  belong;  to  the  southern  side 
of  '  Mason  and  Dixon's  Line.'  Suppose  the 
North  ])roye  stronger  than  the  South,  and  suc- 
ceed in  her  mad  })i*oj(M't.  What  will  she  ^ain 
by  the  honor  of  staininp;  her  hands  in  the  blood 
of  her  own  ndatives,  children  of  the  same 
mothers  with  tlicmsclves?  Echo  answers  what? 
All  they  can  hope  to  <i;ain  is  the  honor  of  iidiu- 
manly  turning  adrift  a  race,  incapable  of  self- 
government,  to  overrun  the  land  lik(>  the  locusts 
of  Efi^ypt,  and  to  miu'^le  with  their  half-starved 
brethren  of  the  North,  to  sink  into  a  state  of 
deirradation  second  only  to  that  of  their  fore- 
fathers in  their  land  of  darkness  and  barbarism. 
\y\\\  such  an  ol)ject  as  this  nerve  the  arms  and 
inspire  the  hearts  of  Xoi'therneis  as  the  defense 
of  their  ])ro])erly,  tlK'ir  rii^lits,  their  homes,  their 
firesides,  their  family  altars,  their  wives,  their 
daujTjhters,  and  their  sacred  honor  will  nerve  the 
ai'iiis  and  ins]>ii'('  the  hearts  of  Southerners? 
Tliink  you,  th:it  with  such  ])rompters  as  these 
the  sword  onc(^  (li'a\\"n  will  ever  T'etiii-n  to  its 
scabbard  whih^  a  foeman  can  l)e  found  in  the 
field?  lint  sup])()se.  as  \  have  said,  you  ulti- 
TiKitely  succeed;  what  still  becomes  of  the  T^nion 
tlijit  "'must  and  shall  be  preserved'?  Will  it 
still  be  a  I'epiiblic  coinposed  of  sovereiixn  States 
voluntarily  ;issoci;ited  together  for  the  benetit  of 
eai'h  ;is  \\('ll  as  of  the  whole?  Or,  will  it  be  a 
coiisojidaled  militai'y  government,  the  various 
]iai-ts  of  which  are  kept  toijether  by  the  force  of 


I'olitirnl    A/Jiliai  iotts  ;{7 

a  standin;^  army?  ()f  wIhmh  will  ihis  army  1..- 
composed? 

"Will  lilt'  M'vy  iit'(i]»lc.  wliii  arc  >t  niimliiikr 
to  escape  fi'imi  ;iii  a^sociai  joii  in  which  iicilhcr 
their  projierty,  ihcii-  Iniiiui-,  nm-  ihcir  li\c>  h;i\e 
been  safe,  become  ihc  iiist  nimcuis  uiih  uhich  to 
hish  theiiisehes  back  iiiio  thai  ;isM)ci;n  Imii'.'  !)<•■ 
peiid  upon  it  tliiit  Ihi'sc  whn  talk  alMiin  cM-rc- 
in;;  a  soxcreij^ni  Stale  back  into  a  fi'publi<'  ffntii 
which  she  has  jicaceably  w  it  Iniia  u  ii.  ha\e  taken 
but  a  siiperticial  view  of  ihr  siibjcci.  'i'licy  lia\e 
failed  ti»  cDiisiiler  it  in  its  iiiii^t  impMiiaiii  bcaf- 
ini^s. 

"  I  adjure  \(iU,  unless  c\ci-y  xcstiu'c  <>f  \ilMUe, 
honor,  jtalrioiism.  and  humanity  has  Ih-d  fiMiu 
y(Mir  luidst,  abandon  f(U'c\er  the  idea  of  plant- 
ing y(Uir  foot  upon  Souihci-n  soil  fnr  mkIi  an 
object  as  that  foi-  which  youf  icuiinciit  is  bciut; 
origan  i/.ed. 

"  I  ha\'e  written  much  iiioi'c  at  IcULTth  than  I 
tliou;^dit   of  doiiii:  when    I    com meuc  ed.      M\    euly 

apolo.LT.V     is    the     mfUneUtiiUSUevs    of     the    >-ubi'''     "f 

which  I  ha\c  written,  and  my  desire  t,,  ^--iNe  \ou 
the  sentiments  whicdi  |ier\ade  the  euiire  cnm 
munity. 

*'   Wit  h     due     I'espe(  t, 

"  \'our    <ibe(lient    ^ci'\  a  III . 

"  .but  \     1"..     M  \--i  N  . 

"  Albemarle  ( 'o..   \'a.. 

'•  I  )ecembep     L'^.      Isf.O." 


When  it  becanie  kuMwn  thai  Mr.  l.iiK.'lu  and 
his  ad\i>efs  were  deierni  iiieil  to  make  \\;ir  upon 
the  States  that  had  peacefnllx  withdiMwu  fi-nm 
the  l'"edei'al  rnii>n.  \' i  VLrin  ia  lis  Icped  to  a\ei't 
so    dire    a    calamity,    and    to    vrciire    a     peaceful 


38      Autohiography    of   John  E.    Massey 

settlenieiit  between  the  Federal  Cioverniiieiit  and 
the  jseceded  States.  Findinjj^  tlieir  elTorts  vain, 
and  tliat  they  ninst  either  join  tlieir  Sonthern 
bretliren  in  defense  of  their  rijjjlits,  or  join  with 
Xoi'tliern  invaders  to  destroy  tlieni,  they  passed 
an  oj'dinanee  of  seeession  and  nnited  tlieir  des- 
tiny with  that  of  their  sister  Southern  States. 
N'irginia,  being  the  most  northern  of  the  se- 
ceding States,  became  largely  the  battle-ground 
of  the  four  years"  conllict,  and  sullered  worse 
than  any  of  the  Confederate  States. 

1  had  not  then,  nor  have  I  had  since,  the 
slightest  doubt  that  the  i)rincii)les  for  which 
the  South  contended  were  right,  llence,  1  was 
a  secessionist,  and  I  did  all  1  could  for  the 
Southern  (\)nfe<]eracy.  1  raised  all  the  grain 
and  ])rovender  I  could  for  the  army  and  loaned 
as  much  money  as  1  could  to  the  Confederate 
(lovernment,  for  which  J  still  have  its  bonds, 
and  ijs  "  Seven-thirty  "  notes — -that  is,  one  hun- 
dren  dollar  notes  bearing  seven  dollars  and 
thirty  cents  interest  ])er  annum. 

In  the  summer  of  ISiVA  the  First  North  Caro- 
lina liegiment  and  the  "  (ieorgia  Tenth  Legion  '' 
were  encamped  on  my  farm  to  recruit  their 
horses.  1  had  a  stand  ei'ected  fi'om  which  I 
preached  to  these  men  a  number  of  times,  and  I 
l)aj)tised  one  of  the  North  Carolinians.  .Vs  a 
body  they  were  or(h'rly  and  gentlemanly. 

A  short  time  before  the  war  ended  (Jeiieral 
Sheridan's  army  eiicamjx'd  for  a  considei'able 
time  about  two  miles  fi'oiii  my  home.  Ash  Lawn. 
When  they  left  the  neigldiorhood  they  took  with 
tliem  all  the  horses  they  could  capture  aud  all 
the    negroes    they    could    j»ersuade   to    go.      Soon 


Political    Affiliation: 


80 


JifttT  Slu'ridMn's  ariiiv  left,  a  rciriiiiciit  of  Con- 
federate caNah'y  eneaniiM'tl  in  the  iieii^liltorliootl. 

On  the  (lay  after  the  evacuation  of  Kiehinond 
I  went  to  ( 'haidottesvilh'  and  heai'd  the  news. 
Hon.  .1.  Kandoli>h  Tnekei",  then  At  lorney-deii- 
ei"il  of  N'if^inia,  addressed  the  jie()]de  and  tried 
to  revive  their  drooj)injj:  spirits.  Imt  his  a(hlress 
N\as  of  deci(h'dly  a   funereal   character. 

Soon  after  ( Jeiieral  Lee's  snrrender,  a  nniid)er 
of  Confederate  soldiers  sjienl  the  nii^ht  with 
nie  on  their  return  from  Ajtjioinal  tox  on  their 
way  to  their  homes  in  the  \'alley  of  \'ii-i;inia. 
At  other  times  their  coining:  wdiild  ha\'e  uM\cn 
me  i:reat  pleasure,  Imt  their  cominLT  then  was 
the  burial  of  my  fondest  hopes  and  the  ri'aliza- 
tion   of   iincoiKjiierahle  desj»air. 


CHAPTER    IV 

VIU(aNIA    AFTEU    TIIIO     WAR 

DuuiNO  the  civil  war  about  ouc-tliird  of  tlic 
tt'i'ritory  of  Vii'<;iiiia  was  arbitrarily  lakcii  from 
her,  formed  into  a  new  State,  and  admitted 
into  the  Federal  (Jovernment  as  ''  West  \'ir- 
jiinia.''  At  the  end  of  the  war  the  residne  of 
N'iriiinia  was  made  a  Military  District,  known  as 
"Military  District  No.  One";  and  was  held  as 
such,  and  governed  by  niilitai-y  commanders,  aj)- 
jtointed  by  the  h^'(b'ral  (Jovernment,  for  live 
years. 

A  l(\ixislatur(^  was  elected  in  ISCtC),  but  was 
treated  by  the  militaiw  commandci-  as  merely 
])rovisional.  He  allowed  it  to  i-emain  in  session 
lon<;"  enough  to  inci'case  the  ante-bellum  debt  of 
Viruinia  about  ijJS,! )()(), 000  by  ca]»italizin.n-  the 
war  interest  on  it.  lie  then  i»n»i(»Liued  it,  and 
<lid  not  allow  it  to  meet  auain  durinu'  the  five 
years   of   nnlitary   rule. 

N'ir^Muia  occu])ie(l  the  anomalous  jtosition  of 
beiui,'  neilliei-  out  of.  nor  in,  the  I'ederal  Tnion. 
When  she  seceded  from  ihe  ("nion  she  tliouii'ht 
she  wiis  out  of  it,  ;ind  no  longer  a  itai't  of  it. 
'i'he  I'ederal  ( loxcriiiiient  s;iid.  *'  Xot  so;  you 
a  i-e  in,  ;iiul  cannot  u'el  out  I  "  When  the  ai'bili'a- 
ment  of  WAV  decided  aiiainst  her  she  accepied 
ihe  T'csult  in  LTood  faith,  and  jiroposed  to  re- 
sume her  riiiiits  ;iud  duties  in  the  I'niou.  "  Not 
so.'"  said  tlie  I'ederal  aut  luu'it  ii's ;  "you  are  out 
and  cannot  come  in  I  " 

to 


^'i^•^|inill    Af(<r    tfu'    War 


41 


A  conNt'iiiio!)  \\;is  licM  in  Isf.ll  to  frame  a 
(•niisiinninn  for  the  jtart  of  N'irLrinia  thai 
rciiiaiiH-.l  after  the  a»iiiiissioii  in  ISC.L'  of  W'l'st 
\'irLCiiiia  into  the  l^'ih-ral  I'nion.  Thai  con- 
\ention  was  composed  mainly  of  carjteihaLrix^'i'^^. 
scahiwaLTs,  and  negroes.  A  constitution  liad  been 
Jifepafed  fof  them,  heliexcd  to  have  lieen  dic- 
tated liy  (len.  r..  I\  Uuth'f.  familiai'ly  known  as 
••  I'.east     r.nth'f.'" 

If  the  ("onstiltition  adiipteii  liv  the  "  rndef- 
wdud  ( "on\ cut  i<in  "  had  heen  a(h)iiteth  as  a 
w  hoh-.  liy  the  iieojth'  of  \'ii'ij:iina,  it  woiihi  ha\'e 
dejii'i\fil  almost  e\-efy  respectahle  white  man  in 
X'ifirinia  of  ihe  riuiit  of  sntTfau:<'.  It  seemed 
to  ha\c  heen  especially  (h'sii^iied  to  deu:rade  and 
humiliate  the  \iMuous  and  iutelliireni  ciii/.ens. 
and  jilace  tjiem  under  the  iimisi  iuiiorant  and 
\icious.  r  res  ill  en  I  < !  ratil .  to  his  honor  he  it  said, 
jieiMnitted  the  disfranchising  clause  to  he  \-oted 
on  sejtarati-ly.  This  clause  was  f(UMunateIy  ile- 
ffateij.  Imi  Sl.HM  scalawairs  ami  negroes  \died 
foi-  it  \(Pied  Id  disfi'anchise  nearly  the  eiitiri' 
\irtm)us.  iiiie]jiij,enl,  and  pi'operty  holdinir  <iii- 
x:i'iishiji  (if  N'iii^inia  !  Then-  was  scarcely  a  sat 
isfaciiu'y  clause  in  that  part  of  the  ("(Uisiiiu- 
lion  thai  was  adopted;  hut  the  doir^  to  he 
relie\ed    of    military    I'ule.    the    fear    tliai    its    I'e- 

jfcliMii     Wnuld     he    a     pl-ele\t      fi  U"    Slill     irrealer    op- 

pri's^ion.   and    the  hope  that    we  coidd   so  amend 
it    as   to   make   it    hearahle,   caused    many    lo   vote 

fol'    it     who    Wiiuhl    mU    lia\e   (huie   so    hut     f(U'    IJiese 

coiividei'a  I  iiuis. 

AlihoiiL^h   the  di^fra  iichisiuij:  clause  nf  ihr   I'n- 

del'W  (lod   and   sc.il.i  w  ;|^r-  (  ',,,1^1  jl  ,,I  ji,,,    w  ;|s  defeated, 
the     fdUIMeeUlh     amendment     of    the     I'edrfal     ('nll- 

sliluti(Ui   made  iuau\    \'irL:ini;ins  iiieli^ihh'  to  of- 


42       Autohiography    of    John    E.    Masscy 

fico.  ]t  says:  "No  porson  sliall  he  a  Senator, 
or  Kepi'esentative  in  (\)nfj:ress,  or  elector  of  Pres- 
ident and  Vice-President,  or  liold  any  oltice,  civil 
or  niilitaiy,  under  the  T^nited  States,  or  under 
any  State,  wlu),  ])reviously  liavinuj  taken  an  oatli 
as  a  niend)er  of  Conjxress,  or  as  an  oHicer  of  the 
Tnited  States,  or  as  a  nieudxM'  of  any  State 
leijislature,  or  as  an  executive,  or  judicial  otVicer 
of  any  States  to  sui)])ort  the  Constitution  of 
tlie  United  States  shall  have  enf?a«!:ed  in  insur- 
rection or  rehellion  a<::ainst  the  same,  or  <xiven 
aid  or  comfort  to  the  encMiiies  thereof."  This 
amendment  made  those  who  w(M'(^  most  capable 
of  lillinix  oflices  in(di<!:ible  to  tliem. 

Prior  to  the  war  the  political  parties  in  Vir- 
irinia  w(M'e  known  as  l)(Mnocrats  and  Whi':;s. 
They  ditTered  less  in  the  (Mids  at  which  they 
aimed  than  they  did  as  to  the  means  by  which 
tliose  ends  ^^■ere  to  ])e  ;LJ::aiiied.  I'^ach  ])arty  was 
H'uided  by  al»le  and  ])atriotic  statesmen,  who  were 
sti'ivinL!:  to  ])romote  the  best  interests  of  their 
count i-y  and  of  their  fellow-men.  When  these 
])ai'ties  saw  the  honor  and  safety  of  Virn:inia 
menaced  by  the  combination  of  car]>etba.t!;,u;ers, 
scalawau's,  and  nciiioes,  th(\v,  both  \Vhi.jj:s  and 
Democrats,  au:reed  to  i^ive  up  tluMr  I'espective 
names,  to  iuiioi'e  theii'  foi'mei'  ditVerences,  and  to 
meet  on  common  <ir'oun(l  foi'  tlu^  common  li'ood. 
"i'lie  ])aT'ty  thus  foi'ined  took  the  name  of  tlie 
"  ( \mser\ativ(>  ])aT'ty  of  A^iririnia." 

.\t  the  tii'st  election  under  tlie  new  Toustitu- 
tion.  (lilliert  i\  Walker,  an  aehcnturei'  from 
\e\\  "\'oik,  was  elected  (ioveruor,  and  John  V. 
I>e\\  is.  a  Ke])ublican,  Lieutenant-(  lovernoi'.  The 
le^islatui'e  was  nearly  e(iually  divided  betwe(>n 
( "oiisei'vat  ives  and  the  iK^terocreneous  combination 


yir(jin\<i    Afhr    tlir    Wdr 


43 


(if    ilit'ir   oj)]iunciits,    tilt'    hitler   liaviiiir   :i    small 
ma  jority. 

It  was  (lilViciiIt  In  fiml  snitahlc  rcju-t'sciitat  ive 
men  will)  were  cliLTil'l''  l<»  nilicc.  As  I  had  iH'vcr 
hfhl  aiiv  ofVicc  which  I'l'iiilcrrd  me  im-litrihlc,  I 
was  sdlifitcd  to  he  a  candidate  to  represent  Al- 
bemarle <"otmly  in  the  A'ifi;iiiia  leirislat  ui-e ;  aiul, 
when  the  ( 'niisei'xat  i\  e  cun\f'nti(in  met  to  nom- 
inate candidates,  my  name  was  the  tii'st  jifojiosed 
for  nomination.  1  i'e(inesied  lea\-e  to  witlnlfaw 
my  name.  ()ihei's  wei-e  nominated  and  I  did 
what    I   conld  to  ha\('  them  (dected. 


CnAPTEK    V 

TFii:  sTATi:  DKBT  AND  TiiH  rrxDixc;  Bir.L 

The  (l(^bt  of  Virniiiia  in  ISCl  was  S31.187,- 
\yMK:V2.  Tlie  liolders  of  her  bonds,  knowin.c:  that 
her  n^sourci's  liad  boon  jxi't^'Jitly  rednced  by  the 
WAV,  rcLrardfMl  lier  bonds  as  almost  worthh^ss, 
and  sold  thoin  at  very  b)\v  prices.  ]\Iany  of 
tht'in  wore  sobl  for  cJcnii  dollars  on  the  Inin- 
drod  and  some  for  still  less.     Ivemend)or  this. 

(Jovornor  Walkor  and  his  brother  Jonas,  of 
New  York,  were  believed  t<^  have  invested  larixely 
in  \*iri:inia  bonds  at  these  low  timiros.  lie,  the 
(lovcrnor,  then  iircjiared  a  mcssairc^  for  the  lei;is- 
latnrc  that  was  ealcnlatfMl  and  donl)tless  intended 
to  cnhaiicf  ^i-catly  tlu^  \aln(^  of  A^iririnia  bonds. 
This  iiH'ssairc  was  known  to  have  beon  iisod  in 
^\'al]  Sircct,  New  Voi'k.  two  weeks  before  it  was 
sent   to  the  \'ir;xinia  le,:u^islature. 

All  the  taxable  ]tro|>erty  of  \'ir,Lrinia  in  IStll 
was  assessed  at  SoS.'), 0!»0,:i2lM7.  The  war  had 
<lfj)ri\t'd  licr  of  abont  (nie-third  of  her  territory, 
\\ilh  all  its  taxable  valm-s,  of  all  hei"  slaves,  and 
of  nearly  all  hei'  ])ersonal  jtrojierty;  and  had 
tri'eatly  re(luced  tlie  value  of  her  lands.  Y(^t, 
iLrnoi'iiii,^  these  facts,  ( Governor  W'allsei-  stated  in 
his  messaiz'e  to  the  leixislaiure  that  the  taxable 
\-. I  hies  of  \'iruinia  \\'ere  then  s7l*.'>,lir).r)Si* — 
S];;s.(I](;.-_m;(;.i';{  more  than  they  were  before  the 
\\;\v  I 

'i'he  assessment  foi-  taxes,  which  occurred  soon 
after  this  misleading;  iiiessap',  showed  that  our 

4+ 


'ijir     Shifr     Drill     dnd     lln      I'lnnlilKI     Hill        IT) 


t.ix.iiilr  \;iliii's  w.ir  i.ii't  s:;;;»;. Cm;.  !:;l', ■_'•_' :  tIkh 
is,  ili.ii  ilii-\  wci'r  s;;^(;.  iL".).ir.);.7s  less  ilum  In- 
si;iliMi  ihfv  wcic  in  Ills  (illi(i;il  iiu'ss.mc!  ;ni<l 
■■^L' I.S71..''.»'>LM.'S  li-ss  ihilll  <>ii'-hiilj  (if  wliMl  lie  siiid 
llirV  wcl-c!  Ill'  ;ils(i  sl.ilcd  lli;it  "  n{  llic  ;issrls 
Jlllij  x-clllil  ics  jicld  Ii\  I  he  Sl;llc  SL'.f,  j  l.\77r..;',7 
.in-  cuiisidcird  (if  ri|ii;il  ui-  l;i'<';i  I  <'l'  \:ilih-  I  li;m 
Si.iic  ImiimIs  ;iI  [ii-i'<fnt  i|  m  il;i  I  i(  nis."  lie.  ruilin'i' 
mi.  sl;ilci|  lli;ll  ill!"  Sl;ili'  iiwncil  ollici'  .isscls 
jiiiiuiiiii  iriu'  III  ■•  sjO.O  is.L'Cu.lH ,  wliicli  il    is  lidiicd 

in  ;i  f'rw  Vc;|l-s  will  lie  ciiu;!!  ill  \;llni'  !<•  Sl;llc 
h'llids.  ;ind  will  l>f  ;l\  :i  il.lldt'  fur  llir  Ifdclii  |  it  ii  Mi 
It!"  ilic  Siiiif  di'lii."'  'rill'  wlmlc  iiiiiniini  rc-ili/.i'd 
ffiini  tlii'sc  iTpdiMcd  iissi-Fs.  :iLrLri'<\U";iI  inu'  s|l\(;»;1.- 
nl  l.-J^.  frll  shori   of  s:;..~(Mi.(MMi. 

<  !m\  I'limr   Wiilkcr  ri)||i)wc(l    iliis   incs<;iL:c   with 

;i     Silicllic     fur-    llic     set  t  liMllt'llt     <it'     till'     Sl.llc    drlil. 

'Idle  rr^uli  w;is  llic  I'liiidiriL'  I 'ill  "f  1^71.  This 
s(dii'liM'  pl-ii\idcd  for  (■.illiiiL:  in  llic  honds  lluit  li;id 
lii'iTl  issued  Iiy  llii-  (dil  St.'itc  ( d"  \'i|-uini;l  (;inlc- 
iMdliiiii  N'irLiini.i  I ,  :inil  Lri\iiii!'.  in  f\(li;inL;i-  Uw 
tlh'iii.  in-w  Iiiilids  fill'  IWd  lliirdv  of  ihrii-  ;i!iHiiints, 
;ind  ci'i-l  iticMirs  of  indrlii  cd  iir-^s  foi'  the  n'iii;iiii 
inLT  third.  Tlifsr  ni'W  Imnd^  WiMt  td  he  linlli 
••  i-i'i;i--Icii'd  ;ind  cnlliH.n,"  .-ind  t  he  Inddcf  <if  cil  !m'I' 
w;is  to  li;i\i'  the  fiLillt  to  rXch.l  IIL:!'  thrill  fol'  the 
iillicl'  .It  I  dfiisll  ff.  i];l(li  (hiss  w;is  to  he;!!'  si\ 
\n'V     riMitlllll      intcl'cst      |ifl'     lllllllllli,     |i;iy;ltdf     srllli- 

;innii;illy  on  ihi-  lif^t  diiv  id'  d;inii;ii-y  ;iiid  on  ilp' 
liisl    (hi\    id'  diil\.      TIh'V    w.'Ii'   to   nin    ihiitv  foin- 

Vf.jls.         The     colllioll      liolnU      Wrii'      to      li;i\r      ^ixtV 
"•illiit      colllMinv     ;ltl;hhi'(|      to     iIh-Iii.     ;|Ild      to     In-     I',' 

(■(•i\;ildf  loi-  ;ill  i:i\cv.  dilil^.  .iinl  dijr^.  dm-  th<- 
Sl;ilr  III  ;ind  ;ifhT  ihcii'  iii;i!iirity.  :ind  llii^  w;is 
to    lie    cX  |iI-i'S^i'(|     l||ion     tlicil-     f.lcf.        'riic\      Wcff     to 

h;i\r     thf    nniiM'    of    tin'    St;iti'    Tfrn  viii-ci'.    litlm- 


46       AutohiograpJiy    of   John   E.    Masscy 

.<j:r;ii>lu'(l,  to  tht'in.  Iloiioe  tliey  won'  to  he  cora- 
])l('t(>  niul  sclf-oxoriitiiig — noediiif]^  notliin<j^  nioro 
to  t;iv('  tluMu  Icj^al  force.  The  bonds  wci'o  to  be 
for  si 00  aiul  its  multiple.  Tliev  were  to  be 
litho.ui'ai)lied  without  any  ollieial  sii^uature. 
A\hen  issued  they  were  to  be  signed  by  the  State 
Treasurer,  and  countersigned  by  the  Second 
Auditor, 

When  this  scheme  was  first  voted  on  it  was 
defeated  by  a  decided  majority.  (lovernor 
Walker  was  said  to  have  been  quite  angry  at 
this  result,  but  smothered  his  wi'ath,  aud  gave  an 
entertainnuMit  at  the  ]']xecutive  ^Mansion  which 
was  attended  by  nearly,  if  not  quite,  all  the 
scalawag,  car])etbag,  and  negro  mend)ers  of  the 
legislature.  When  the  legislature  re-assembled 
the  vote  by  which  the  bill  had  been  defeated  was 
reconsidered.  The  bill  was  then  i)assed  by  a 
minority  of  the  Conservative  members,  and  every 
Radical  of  both  houses,  exce])t  IJobinson  (col- 
ored) from  Cumbei'land  County,  voted  for  it. 
The  negi'o  membei's  were  seen  with  unusual  sums 
of  money  foi-  sevei-al  days  after  its  ])assage. 

The  ])assage  of  this  bill  was  Pandoi'a's  ])ox 
— the  Iliad  of  all  our  woes! 

The  Treasurer  of  Virunnia  had  S;.-)0,000,000 
"  conpon  bonds"  lithogra])hed,  with  nu)re  than 
•Si 00.000.000  of  coupons  attached  to  them,  and 
a  col-responding  amount  of  ''registered  ])onds." 
I'lxti'a  cleT'ks  were  employed  in  the  TreasuT'er's 
ojTire.  and  tlie  work  of  exchanging  tlie  n(MV  bomls 
for   I  he   old    was   jx-i'foi'med    -with    hot-bed   speed. 

Il  is  doubtful  whether  any  other  legislative 
act  cNcr  met  moi-e  general  and  determined  o|)})o- 
siiioii  from  the  ]>eo])le  of  Virginia  than  this  did 
as   soon   as    its   character  became   known.      The 


Thr    S((i(c    I>>ht    find    (lir    I'mnliii;/    Hill      17 

(lt'iii;iii(l  fur  iis  i-fjical  was  irciicral  and  nniiiis- 
takalili'.  Tlic  lu'xt  Ic^islal  nn-  was  clt'ctcd  with 
iiii|tlic(l,  and  in  many  cast's  with  fxprfsscd,  in- 
sirncliiiiis  to  rcjH-al   it,  which   il   did. 

A  niajiirily  of  tlic  SuinTiiii'  ('(Uin  (tf  Appeals 
(h'ci(h-d  ihal  il  was  ifi-cjicahitdc  so  fai-  as  fund- 
ing; hail  jifoLTrcsscd  nndci-  it.  .ludirc  \\'allcr  K. 
Staples  <leli\ei-e(l  a  dissenting  ojiinion,  which, 
foi-  pefspicnit y  and  aciiineii,  has  rarely  been 
sui'passe(l  or  e(piale(l,  and  w  hicli  stands  as  a  mon- 
ument to  his  superior  intellect,  his  leLral  attain- 
ments, and  his  sense  of  iustice. 


In  ]s~:\  I  was  aLrain  solicited  to  hecome  a 
candidate  for  the  le;.,nslat  ure,  and  I  jmldished 
the  follow  iim-  circular  to  the  \dters  of  Alltemarh' 
<  'oiinty  : 

'•  i'ellow -cit  i/ens  :  "S'ou  haxc  heen  I'equested  to 
meet  at  your  \arious  precincts  on  Saturday,  the 
Kith  instant,  to  apjioint  deleuates  to  meet  in 
con\ention  in  ( 'harlot  tes\ilje  on  Saturday,  the 
L'."5d  instant,  to  mmiinate  candidates  for  the  next 
leL^islal  ure  of  \'iri:inia.  As  1  ha\e  ciuisented  to 
lia\('  my  name  iiresented  to  that  convejit  i<ui  for 
nomination  as  one  of  the  three  candi<lates,  it  is 
diH'  lioth  to  you  and  to  mys(df  that  1  should 
^n\e  my  reasons  for  this  step.  IlefiU'e  doint; 
so,  Jiow('\('r,  I  wish  to  say  1  am  no  jxditician, 
and  liojie  ne\ci'  to  hecome  one.  in  the  sense  in 
which    that    wdrd    is   ireuerally   used. 

'•  ('|»on   the  ternnnaiiou   of  the  war.   the  ixi'eat 

mass  of  our  people  returned  to  tlieil-  Iiollles  to 
tind  tIiemsej\CS  I'ohlied  and  (lespoiled  of  almost 
e\ci'ythim:  exei'pt  their  lands  and  ilieji'  del  us. 
'i'he  TieuliM't  which  our  lands  siitl'ei'ed  during  the 
four   \('ars   of   war   made   their   culli\alion    imu'e 


4S       A  iit>ihii)(ir(tj)]i  1/    of    JoJii)    IJ.    M(iss(ij 

ditlicull  ;iii(l  less  jirotihililc.  The  (IcriinnciiKMit 
and  (IciiKii'ali/at  idii  of  lalxir  made  it  almost 
iiiipossildc  so  to  ciillixalc  tliriii  as  to  make  more 
than  a  hare  siiiijiorl.  Tlic  only  tliiiius  tliat  i-c- 
iiiaiiicd  imdiiiiiiiislu'd  were  oiii-  dclils.  Xcitlicf 
oiii'  iti-i\atr  not'  otif  jiiihlic  dchls  lost  any!  hiiii:: 
l»y  tlio  war.  Those  that  owed  tliciii  wcic  ofli'ii 
so  woi'ii  down  by  lonu:  inai-clics  and  liafd  iialllcs, 
that,  iinaltlc  to  jtitcdi  their  tents,  they  slept 
soundly  with  only  a  stone  foi-  a  jtillow,  and  the 
(•ano|>y  of  heaxcn  for  a  coN-eian^;  hut  tliese  (h'lds 
ne\('f  slejit  either  l)y  day  or  Iiy  niij,"lit.  Theirs 
was  a  constant  and  a  forward  niaridi.  The 
ureat  losses  on  one  hand,  and  the  constant  in- 
crease (tf  dehts  on  the  otiier,  conihined  to  |>lacc 
the  debtor-  in  a  position  of  jtecnliai-  eiultarrass- 
inent  ;  and  entitled  him  not  oidy  to  symjiathy. 
hilt  to  all  lionorahje  measures  of  relief,  lint,  as 
if  determined  to  add  "the  last  feather  needed 
to  break  the  cameTs  back,'  the  rate  of  interest 
was  donl>h'd  ;  jmd  those  that  were  iinal»Ie  to  pay 
six  jier  cent,  were  re(piii-ed  to  pay  twchc.  ()ur 
last  h'uisia  t  lire,  as  if  determined  to  ixcep  pace 
wiiji  the  body  thai  liad  iiicicased  interest  on  pri- 
vate debts  fi-om  six  to  twchc  jiei-  cent.,  funded 
the  interest  oTl  tile  Slate  <!ebl.  and  thereby  made 
it  necessary,  nnlcss  that  Act  l)e  repealed,  to  in- 
crease (he  State  lax  to  nearly  double  A\liat  it 
now   is  in  oriler  to  |iay  the  inleresi   on  this  debt. 

'•Those  that  know  Ikiw  diiticiilt  it  is  to  |iay 
'III'  taxes  now  iniposeil  leay  well  be  alarmed  at 
tin-  ihoiiulit  of  what  the;,-  will  l»e  if  the  course 
thus   f;i  r   |>n  rsiii'd    be   coni  iniieil. 

*•  We  conleiiipb-iti'.  with  pride  and  pleasure,  the 
nil  I  a  rnislieil  honor  of  diir  ancestors,  and  <»f  ilu^ 
noble   Slate   that    q:a\c  t1iem   birtli;  but   we   may 


TJic    Statr    h'hl     am/    lln     I'mnlinn     l'>ill       l'.» 


well  (Idiiht  wlicllifi-  ili;i1  hcriijiLjc  would  luivc  hccii 
I  I'jllisiiiil  It'll  to  lis  it'  llii-v  li;iii  Itccll  |-iM|uirftl  Id 
lir;ir  llir  1)11  Ii  l( 'lis  lli;il  ;ili'  |t|;icc(l  ll|i(Hl  I  llf  sin  Ml  I - 
(Iffs  of  their  (lc-((ii(l;i  Ills.  'I'lii-  idilv  \\;iy  liy 
which  \\  r  (■.III  jirt'si-rx  f  ih;il  licrii;iu;i'  is  so  to  rc- 
diicf  (iiir  iiui'di'iis  ;is  [n  rfinh-r  lliciii  hcnrnlilc.  iiinl 
to  inspire  oiii-  (lis|iiriic(l  jK-ople  w  iili  a  rcasonahh' 
hope  that  they  may,  hy  proper  d  il  iijeiice.  relieNc 
1  lieiiiseK cs  of  their  eiiiliarrassiiieiits  at  iio  \ery 
disiant  da_\'.  'i'o  do  this,  interest  nn  j»ri\aie  dehts 
iiiii>i  he  lediieed  \n  iis  former  rate.  The  ["niid- 
illLC  I'd  II  must  he  l-i-peah'd,  ;|  lid  the  e\]ielises  of 
U^oxcrilllienl      miisi      he     reduced. 

••'rile  leuiv];|t  lire  sholljd  lieljin  the  work  of  re- 
trench Mm  Ml!  liy  reduciiiLT  I  he  pa\'  of  iis  miMiiln'rs 
to  what  ii  was  In 'fore  I  he  war.  and  liy  shoiieii- 
iiiLT.  as  far  a<  pos>ilile.   iis  sessions.     The  nnmln'r 

of  otliceis.    liolh    Slate   ;ind    coiiiily.   should    he    less 

eiied,  and  the  salaries  of  those  ihat  are  coiiiiniied 
should  he  ri'iliiced.  I'.y  this  coiiiM'  ojir  laxe^. 
insie;i(|  of  lieiiiLT  increased,  may  he  lessened,  our 
L:o\crnmeiii  ad m  in i>i ered  more  ec(uiom ica I  ly.  and 

I  mr    ImUH  ir    he    sli  I  I     [Ue^elW  (mI. 

■'    If     you.      fellow    (■  it  i/.ellS.     desil'i'     the     adoplioU 

i)\'   >uc|i    mea--nres   as   il:e>e.    the    remedy    is.    lo   m 

Lire.ll  eMelll,  ill  yolll'  oWII  lialliU.  Ill  SelcclillU 
men  lo  reprrvcllt  \oll  ill  the  h'uisla  I  lire,  he  sure 
to     ^I'lecl      iho-^e     wlio^e     inlerc-~t     is     so     I  ll  oTol  1  uh  I  \ 

ideiiiiiji-d  with  \oiir  own  that  ilie\  (aiiiiot  po^ 
sihiy    iiii|Mivr  ;\    hurdeii    u|ion   yoii    that    they    will 

not  ha\e  to  l>e;ir  ;i|so;  lU'  adopt  me.lviirix  to  Ir 
lii\e  I  he!i|-.c|\  cs  that  will  Hot  al<o  relie\i-  \oU. 
SeliM't      icell.     loo.     who    ha\e    SIltliciiMlI      i  11  N  ■ !  I  i  Lfe  Ih 'e 

and  ahility  to  umleisinml  and  to  maiiilain  \our 
inii't'est.  And  he  sure  that  they  .-ife  nieii  of 
such    stieii;:ih    of   cliaracLr  and    of    iiiornl    prin- 


50       Aiitohiograplty    of    John    E.    Mdssey 

ciplc  (hat  tli(\v  will  discliai'.u'i'  tl»<'ii*  duties  with 
('lu'i'i^v  and   with   tidclity. 

"Ill  (■oiiiinon  with  yon,  fellow-citizens,  I  feel 
the  ernshinjj:;  weiii^ht  of  the  bnrdens  iin])os(Ml  n])on 
us,  and  1  have  been  anxiously  looking  around 
for  such  men  as  could  most  likely  lessen  these 
bnrdens;  but  should  never  have  thouuht  of  i)ro- 
]M)sin,u:  myself  as  one  of  them  if  I  ha<l  not  been 
ui\H'ed  to  (h)  so  by  many  of  the  best  citizcMis  of 
the  county,  who,  I  am  sure,  could  not  have  been 
influenced  by  mere  jxM-sonal  considerations.  I']veu 
after  1  consented  to  take  the  subject  under  con- 
sideration 1  found  it  exceedinuiy  dillicult  to  i^'et 
my  consent  to  have  my  uame  used  in  such  a 
connection. 

"  Those  of  you  who  know  me  will  not  doubt 
my  sincerity  when  1  assure  you  that  if  I  were 
to  consult  my  own  comfort,  or  ])ersonal  interest 
alone,  I  ^^■ould  not  consent  to  come  befoi'e  you 
as  a  candidate  for  the  legislature,  or  for  any 
oihce  whatever.  Neither  do  I  exjx'ct  to  i!:ain 
honor  or  ])oj)ulaTMty  by  it.  1  ha\'e  no  ]»()litical 
as]>irat ions.  \\'h('n,  twenty-scx'en  years  auo,  I 
entei-ed  the  ministry,  1  ex])ected  to  s])end  my  life 
in  it,  and  to  dexote  my  whole  ('n('ri::y  to  it;  but 
the  com])lete  failni'c  of  my  health  some  years 
past  made  it  necessary  for  iiic  to  .uixc  uj)  my 
cliar;L:"e,  and  to  discoiiiinuc  ])astoral  labor.  Since 
t1ien  r  ha\('  dcxotcd  myself  to  farminu'  in  order 
to  su})]ioi't  my  family  and  to  educate  my  chil- 
di'en;  aFid  altliouuli  m\'  lienltli  Ims  so  fai'  im- 
proved as  to  enable  Till'  to  jierform  ])aitial  min- 
isterial labor,  I  see  no  ])i-os])eet  of  iiiy  aii,ain 
enterinii:  tlie  full  minisli-y.  1  am,  and  ever  have 
been,  o](|)ose(l  to  ministers  of  the  (losj)el  beeom- 
in.ij;  active  ])art  icijiants   in    jiolitical  alTairs;  but 


Th-e   State   Debt    and   the   FuhiUikj    Hill     51 

the  facts  I  havi'  stated  satisfy  iiic  lliat  wiy  pres- 
ent iK)siti(>n  is  not  ineuuipat ilile  with  \ny  (inly, 
liut  is  in  jM-rfect  accord  with  it.  \'ei\\  niaiiv  of 
those  to  whom  we  ha\('  htoked  for  assistance  in 
(tur  times  of  need  afe  liehl  l»y  the  I'edcral  jndLTes 
to  he  inelii::ihh'  to  seats  in  the  h-LTishit  ni-e.  and  it 
is  made  necessary  to  hi-ini;  those  foi-war(l  that 
ha\t'    ne\'el'    Ix-fore    lield    ollice. 

"  riidei'  thes<'  circumstaiiees  I  ha\e  yiehh'd  to 
what  I  helie\-e  to  be  tile  wish  of  a  iafi^e  ma- 
jority of  the  N'otefs  of  Alheiiiai'le,  and  I  now" 
jihice   my  name  hefofe  yon. 

"  \o  one  ajtpi'eciates  jM'fsonal  friendshi]>  and 
kindness  moi-e  hiuhjy  than  I  (h>;  Imt.  fellow- 
citizens.  I  (h>  not  ask  yon  to  snpport  me  from 
]iersonal  considerations.  Simiy  yonr  own  in- 
tei'est  ;  and  if  yon  lM'lie\-e.  all  thini^s  considi-red, 
yon  can  seh'ct  fi'om  Iliose  now  a\aihilile  thfee 
ollii'i'  randi(hiles  w  lio  will  i-epi-rscnt  yoiif  in- 
tel'est  hettef  tliaii  I  will,  ui\e  them  youf  snp- 
poii.  If.  (di  the  other  hand,  yon  think  it  will 
])I'omoIe  _\-oni'  own  intefest  t(»  send  me  to  the 
h'udslat ufe.   then   i:i\'e   iiif   the  nomination. 

••  I  w  ill  add,  if  I  am  one  of  ymii'  nominees  I 
will  use  all  hoiioi-ahle  means  t(»  insni-e  lie'  sne- 
cfss  of  yonf  ticket:  and,  if  eleeted,  will  faith- 
fnlly  fcpfi'scnt  yoiii-  intrrcsi  to  the  niiiiosi  (tf 
my   ability. 

'•  \'efy  n-speci  fnlly. 

"  ^'onI'  fi'Ilow  -cji  iziMi, 

'•  .1(111  \  1].  .Massi:v. 

'•  Ash    Lawn,    ls7:^" 


T   was  nominated  and  eleeted. 
( Jo\ei'iioi-  W'alkef's  otiicial    tei'iii   e\|>ii'ed   .lan- 
nai'\"  1.  ls71.  and  he  ifinfrnd  to  New    ^'oI•k  soon 


52       Auttjhiof/rapJnj    of    John    E.    J/r/.v.sr?/ 

tlicrcaftci',  t(i  llu'  i-(\i;r('t  of  few,  iuid  (o  Hk'  joy 
of  many. 

(Icncral  James  L.  Kciujm'I*  succeeded  (lovernor 
^\'alkeI^  and  most  ably  and  faithfully  tilled  the 
<j,uberna(oi'ial  oflice.  He  was  a  thorouuhly  lion- 
est  man.  a  hiuii-toned  u'entlenian,  well  (pialitied 
for  the  hi^li  oltice  he  held,  and  conscientious  in 
dischai\iiin,i,'  its  duties. 

After  careful  investigation  of  Viri^inia's  finan- 
cial condition — her  resources  and  liabilities — he 
made  a  statement  to  the  le.uislature  of  the  taxa- 
tion in  \'iriunnia.  under  State  laws,  for  the  years 
lS7l.*-"7)i,  the  last  for  which  local  taxation  had 
l)een  received.  This  statement  I  shall  ^ive  later 
under  "'  Debts  and   Taxes." 

The  facts  disclosed  in  it  indicated  the  neces- 
sity of  able  tinancierinii',  careful  husbandini:^  of 
^'ir.^•inia's  resources,  and  i-itiid  economy  in  all 
de])artments  of  her  administration. 


('iiArTi:K    \i 

"  I'AKSn.X    MASSi;'!  "S    CoI    IMi.N     I'.Il.l," 

i>7i-7r) 

\n\i(  i:  as  1  was  as  lo  ilic  ailmiiiisi  rai  ion  of 
imlilir  affaii's,  I  was  stinclstMl  ;il  iIh-  1mm<c  mimI 
cai'i'lcss  iiiaiiiii'i-  ill  which  ihcy  wcit-  (Imiic  \'ii-- 
Uillia's  (ililv  sat'i-UUanl  scclllfd  In  In-  in  ihc  hnli- 
OlV     lit'     ]irl     nllirials. 

As  has  hccii  siaifil,  ((iiiikhi  hniids  a;iL:rivLia  I  i  iiiT 
sr.d.ood.dou  with  cMiipdiis  aL:i:i-ruaiiiiL:'  s]  L'li.imd.- 

ddd  ;illa(  lli'd    llicl-rli)   thai    Wdi'   Ifcci  \  ;|  idr    ill    iia>- 

iiKiil  III'  all  la.xcs,  (liliis,  (lurs,  ami  dfiiiii  ii<ls  due 
the  < 'iiiiiiiiMii  w  I'iiji  h  ;ii  ;ind  at'itT  iiiaiiiriiv.  had 
Imcii   [iri'|iarcd. 

'riic  ImUkIs.  when  i>-^llc(j,  had  In  In-  siuiifd  liv 
ihi'  'rn-asiircr.  ami  rniinicrsiLiind  liv  ilic  SiMniid 

Audilnr:  lull  itic  cnlllMiIlS  Were  liiTtrcl  ailil  cnin- 
|i|rlf.  Wlli'll     df|;|clli'd        frolll        lllcir       rcS|ir(I  i\  (' 

Im  imjv   I  hcv   p:is>cd    ;|-.  (11 1  Tfiil    MS  li;i  n!^    Ih'l  i'^.      (  )iii' 

ci'dp  iif  ilii'Sf  iiiaiiircd  oil  ilir  tii-^i  nl  .laiiuaiy 
nml  nil  ihf  liisi  it\'  .Inly  Inr  i  hi  iMy  t'niir  yi-ais. 
'J'hi'iM-  wa~~  lin  w  ;iy  liy  whii-li  ihn^r  i-miijimi--  ihat 
wtTc  i;d.,i-ii  trniii  liniidv  thai  had  Im^mi  i-~-~iicd 
.(iiiM    Ih'  d  i-i  iiiuni-JM'd    fmni    llinv,.    Mial    had    imi 

llCI'II      i--^l|c.|, 

'rhr-c  linmN.  a-Lii'c-ai  ill--  s.'.d.ddd.diid  wiih 
lln-ir     cniipMiiv     ;  |. _.._,,■,.,_,;  1 1  j,|,_.-    siL'd.ddd.diid.     wi-iv 

hrjil  in  Wniidrll  pli'v^cv  JH  ihf  T  fi  ■;  I  v  i  if,  p"  v  (i!Vhi'. 
Il      Wnllld     Im-     i|  i  iVli-ll  1  I      lo     r(imi'i\i-     nf    ;l      f.lir.'r.     (  ir 

iimrc  iciiipi  iiiL;'.  njipMii  iiiiiiy   I'm  fraud  and  ^IimI- 


54       AutohiograpJty    of    John    E.    Massei/ 

inn:  than  lliis  state  of  alT'airs  ])T'('S('iit('(l.  Tn  ad- 
(lilioii  to  tliis  iiu'iiac(\  the  ])lat('K  witli  wliich 
IIk'sc  bonds  and  conjjons  liad  been  en,u:iaved  were 
still  in  the  ])ossession  of  the  enirravers,  who 
eonhl  increase  their  nnndx^'  indidinittd.v. 

I  ]>r('i)ared  a  bill  entitled,  *'  An  Act  to  Pi'otect 
the  State  from  Connterfeit  and  Surre])titionsly 
Obtained  (''ou])ons.''  This  bill  was  called  "  Par- 
son Massey's  ('otii)on  liill,"  and  it  was  as  fol- 
lows : 


"Sec.  1st.  P>e  it  enacted  by  the  (JeiH'ral  As- 
sembly of  \'ii-,ii:inia  that  it  shall  be  the  <lnty  of 
tlie  Secretai-y  of  the  Commonwealth,  whenever 
con]M)n  ])onds  that  have  been  issnecl  by  the  State 
of  N'ii'uinia  ai-e  ])resented  to  him  for  the  })nri)ose, 
to  \\i-i1e  nj^on  all  matured  c(ui])ons  attached 
thereto.  ])iit  ujton  none  others,  the  ^\■ord  '(Jen- 
uine,'  and  to  atlix  his  name  and  the  date  of  the 
said   endoi'sement  thereon. 

"  Sec.  iM.  That  all  holders  of  con]M)n  ])()mls 
that  may  have  been  issnecl  by  the  State  of  Vir- 
ginia ma.y,  at  their  ])leasnre,  have  the  matui'ed 
con])ons  attached  thereto  endoi'sed  as  ])i'ovided 
in  section   lii-s1   of  this  act. 

"Sec.  ;M.  That  no  ])ai)er  ])ni"])or1  iiiij;  to  ])e  a 
con])on  lliat  has  not  on  it  the  endorsement  ])ro- 
vided  for  in  this  act  shall  be  recei\-ed  in  ]»ayment 
of  any  taxes,  debts,  dues,  or  demands  due  the 
( 'ommonwealt  h. 

"Sec.  lih.  This  act  shall  be  in  f(U'ce  from  its 
])assa.iie."' 

This  bill  did  not  deny  the  ]'eceiva])ility  of 
coui)ons,  but  jirovided  a  way,  and  the  oidy  way, 
by  which  their  ;,^enuineness  could  be  established. 


"  I'arsi/it   }fiissr}f'.s  ('oiijinn   Hill"  7^7^ 

It  was  l-cfclTtMl  tn  the  < 'iilillllit  Ice  of  •'('oill-ts  of 
.lust  ice."  The  lirsl  and  sccoikI  auditors  wmt 
licforc  the  coiiiiiiit ti't'  and  opiioscd  the  Iiill.  Tlicv 
insisted  that  tlic  things  it  |ifoj»os('d  to  LTiiafd 
a^'aiiist  "  iicNci*  could  occuf,"  an<l  that  it  was 
a  rclh'ction  uj)oii  thciii  and  thcif  otiiccs.  'I'hc 
coininit  tec  ivjtortcd  the  hill  hack  to  the  house, 
with  the  recoininendat  ion  ••that  it  do  iioi  jiass." 
Aftef  the  hill  had  heeli  I'epoftcd  hack  to  the 
h(»use,  1  sjioke  in  ad\ocacy  of  its  jiassa^'e.  Its 
ojijxisefs  chiiiued,  tii'st,  that  it  woidij  suhject 
hondholdefs  to  e\]iense  and  iiicon\  fnieiicc  ;  and, 
sec(Uidly.  that  thefe  was  no  neccssitv  {nv  such 
a    ))fecaut  ioiiary    nieasufe. 

1  adinitte(i  that  it  would  suhject  hondholdei'S 
to  ti-ouhle  and  expense,  hut  1  chiiineii  that  such 
Wefc  the  neccssai'V  conse(|  uetlces  of  all  ineasufes 
of  srlf  pfotect  ion ;  that  locks,  holts,  and  hai's 
t(»  ouf  doofs  wcfe  e.\pensi\-e,  and  that  il  was  an- 
noyin^r  to  liaxc  to  stand  at  ouf  own  dooi's  in  a 
peltiiiLT  stofin  at  niidniuiit  until  we  could  ainuse 
the  family  to  let  us  in;  hut  that  no  wise  man 
Would  lea\e  his  family  and  his  ^-ooils  ojien  i(» 
niufdei-ers  and  thicMs  to  saNc  the  expense  and 
tfoulde    of    pfotect  inii'    them. 

So  so(UI  as  the  chafactel-  of  the  hill  hccame 
known  to  haidxci's  and  lu'okn-s  thai  dealt  in 
coup(Uis.  a  mo>l  hiticf  and  fehiith'ss  waf  was 
wau'tMl  aL^aiiist    it    and  auainst    its  auilhU'. 

The  !"undel'  Iicw  spa  ]  icfs  of  the  Stale,  and.  so 
fat"  as  I  know,  they  wcfe  all  l"undi'i'>.  opi'Ued 
tlii'if  hattci-ics  against  me.  not  with  afuumciits 
hut  with  siiecfs  and  hilli'f  t'jiilhel^.  'I'hey 
chafued  ••  I'afsiiii  .Masscy  "  with  hciuij,  a  dcma- 
U'MUUi-  and  a  I'epud  iai  ioiiist  ;  and  ihey  dechifi'd 
"I'afsiui    Massey's    ("otipon     Hill"'    a    scheme    to 


50       Autohiof/raplnj    of    John    IJ.    Masncy 

defraud  creditors.  These  cliarixt's  were  iterattMl 
aiitl  reitei'ated  until  tliose  that  did  not  know 
"  Parson  Massev,"  or  the  cliai-acter  and  (h'sin^n 
of  his  "  Coupon  Hill,'"  niiiiiit  have  Iteen  excusable 
if  thev  believed  him  to  be  but  little  lietter  than 
an  incarnate  demon.  Col.  Thomas  S.  IJocock 
once  ])()inted  me  out  to  an  elderly  lady  in  a 
railroad  car  as  "  Parson  ^lassoy."  She  clasped 
her  ])urse  and  said,  "  Then  I  must  k(M'])  my 
hand   on   my  ])ursel  '' 

I'ew  measures  were  ever  opposed  more  vijjor- 
ously  than  this  was.  After  it  had  btMMi  dis- 
cussed several  days  it  was  ordei*ed  to  its  en- 
li'i'ossment  and  thii'd  rea<lini]:  by  a  safe  majority. 
A  motion  was  then  made  to  reconsider  this  \()te. 
This  motion  was  defeated.  Its  opponents,  findin.u^ 
that  I  had  a  majority  in  two  test  votes,  I'e- 
doubled  tlieii'  efforts.  \\'hen  the  \t)te  was  taken 
on  its  ])assa,u'e  it  was  (h^feated  by  a  small  ma- 
jority— two    or    three. 

its  opj)()sers  \\-ere  \\ild  \\  ith  (bdiLrht.  and  it 
was  announce<l  that  '^  Parson  Massey  "'  \\as  to 
be  bui'ied.  lion.  A.  II.  II.  Stuart,  of  Staunton. 
\\as  to  delivei*  the  funeral  oT'ation.  Major  J. 
Iloiace  Lacy,  (tf  S])ot tsylvania,  my  native  county, 
ai*<»s(    to  a  "(juestion  of  ])ersonal  ju'ivileLi'e."' 

''  I  umlei'stand,"  said  he.  "  that  the  iicntlemau 
fiom  Albemarle  (Mr.  Massey  i  is  to  be  bui-ied. 
and  that  the  sihcr-t onirue(l  oratoi'  from  Augusta 
is  to  deliver  his  funeral  oration.  1  claim  the 
text  fr(»m  which  he  is  to  deliver  it.  I  want  his 
text  in  be:  The  resurrection  of  the  just.  \i)\] 
may  Inii-y  the  irrnlleiiian  from  Albeiii;ii-Ie.  but 
he  will  rise  aLCain.  and  X'iririuia  will  rise  willi 
him  ! 

The    joy    of    the    o])])oMenls    of    my    bill    was 


"'  I'lii-sdii    ]lassi  i/'s  ('nuii'Di   nil!"  r»7 

(■\iii(iMi  liy  Ii;i\  iiiLT  Hir  t;i  H  (  hiihmI  wiili  I  wo  of  my 
frii'iiiis  ;i  (  my  In -nil  ;i  ml  I  w  n  .1 1  my  fi-fi  ;is  immrn- 
ci's.  ,iml  iliiTc  (if  my  (i[i|Muii-Mts  ;ii  m\  siilr  ;i>< 
xictiMs;  while  my  w  i  iid  i  iiu  <Im'<'I  \\;i<  m.nlr  iiji  df 
rdiipoiis  m;irk(>(l  *•  ricnninc"  ;iml  my  lic;i(I  was 
]iilliiw  rij    \\\)u\\   a    pill'   (if  Siaii-  ImiiiiI^. 

While  ilic   I'niidcis  wci'i'  ciinurai  11  lal  i!ii:  lln-m- 
schcs  I  ha  I  I  liry  had  dcfcaicd  I  lie  •"  (  "<iii|i(iii   T.  ill 
ami    killc(|    its   aiiihoi'    politically,    ila-    Sunt h<  m 
/ nil  ll/ii(  iici  r    m;;|V("    ihc    fdlliiwiim'    amiisiiiu'    ac- 
<iiiiiii   (if  an   iiit('i-\  lew  : 


■•  r.iil  tilt'  I II  h  l/i'i'  III'  r  man.  mil  yd  saii<tic(l 
with  his  (il)scr\ai  idiis  ai'diiiid  this  nidniaifnl  tmrx  - 
iiiLT  Lii'diiiid  dfilic  IJcad  Jn^^lci's,  sdiii^in  i  heir  Lii'i'al 
hiu'h  lU'icsi  in  ihc  Sciialt-  muc  of  iIm-  wisest 
cdiiiisclldfs  and  hdldcst  waia'idfs  ih^y  Iia\c.  the 
liLiliiini:  chaplain  df  their  aiany.  the  f'tidw  iicd 
Tai-sdn  .MasscN-  fi-om  rhe  (lassie  hills  df  Alhc 
ma  fie,  and  i-ii:iit  iilatl  wefe  wc  thai  we  fen  ml 
him!  lie  is.  uv  shdnld  he.  a  ureal  favm-iie  with 
his  thick.  II  is  amliassaddi'ial  chafacicf.  lii^  pusi- 
lidii  lidili  df  IcLTaie  ffom  the  skies  and  mini^tef 
on  caftli.  his  \ast  fund  of  ecclesiasi  ica  I.  I'dMical. 
pdlitical.  leLTal,  and  < 'oust  ii  nt  idna  I  hn-e  makes 
him  inxalualih-  td  his  pcdpjc,  whelhef  \'<tv  •^piiil 
iial  cdUifdit  (If  the  fdiiudief  ami  lildddii-f  aciidn 
df  I  he  •  lciite(|  ticld  "...If  aii,\  mishap  had 
licfalleii  him  we  cdnld  >ec  Hd  tface  ef  it  in  liis 
hcaminir  face.  .  .  .  'I'd  n^  he  pfc-.ctiicil  a  \i']'\ 
p|c;i--iie.^  a>~pcct  :  wc  fdiiml  him  wdmlfdu<l\  civil 
and  (  le\ef.  fead\  Id  iiiipaii  any  i  n  fdf  mat  idn  ;it 
hi^  cdinmand.  ami  fnll\  fc--dl\ed  id  cdminiic  the 
liuli  I  fdf  a  fcml  jii'-i  iiiciii  a  ficf  h  i--  dw  n  iiei  idus  t  d 
I  he   hit  lef  end. 

■•  Sea  nnitiLT  him  w  c  sa  id  :  '  If  I  !i  i^  man  he  de;id. 


58       Aiitohiograplnj    of    John    E.    Massry 

lu'  is  tlic  lirclirsf  Idol-iiifi  corpse  wo  ever  saw?' 
.  .  .  Yes.  Colonel  Masscy  still  lives.  The  lie- 
ad  justei's  ;ire  not  <lea<l,  and  the  hottest  cani- 
]taiuii  within  the  kno^\■led,^■e  of  the  oldest  in- 
hahilant  niav  be  looked  for  in  the  election  of 
next  fall.'' 

Th(^  T'(>adei'  will  please  hear  in  niind  that  tlie 
chject  of  "Parson  .Massey's  Tonpon  P>ill  "  was 
to  proteet  the  State  from  "oonnterftMt  and  snr- 
I'ejttitionsly  ol)tained  eonpons";  and  that  both 
Anditors  and  the  Treasnrer  o])posed  it  as  a  re- 
tlection  nj)on  them  and  their  oftices,  averrinf;  that 
the  thinj^s  T  sou.irht  to  ^nard  a«j:ainst  *'  conld 
never  occnr."  In  less  than  two  months  after  the 
defeat  of  this  l)ill  one  of  the  elerks  in  one  of  the 
basement  oHices  was  in  the  ])enitentiary.  No 
man  knows,  oi*  e\-er  will  know,  how  many  ])onds 
atid  c()n]ions  wcvo  thns  stolen  and  nsed. 

The  I'^niKh'T'  ])i'ess  and  speakers  had  well-nij^h 
exhansted  their  vocabulary  of  bitter  e])ithets 
on  me  and  my  ]dan  for  v<'rifvin.i!:  coupons,  ])nt 
they  soon  found  it  a  moi'e  practical  and  serious 
question  than  they  had  supposed.  Yet  they 
still  held  to  th(^  farce  of  verifying  them  by  '' ex- 
jx-rt  testiiuony." 


('iiAr'ri:i:   \ii 

••  itKr.rs  AM"  'I'AXKs  ■' 

In  the  fall  of  InTT.  1  jiultlishcd  ihc  follow  iiii; 
j)aiii{ililci,    which    will    cxiilaiu    itself: 

••  I'cllow  (it  i/.t'iis :  I  ha\('  been  rcciucsinl  ]\y 
iiiaiiv  jicrxins,  for  whose  wish  ami  o[iiiii(iii  1 
ha\('  un-eat  fesjieel,  to  piiltlish,  in  a  form  siiiiahle 
foi'  ^elieial  ciretilal  ion.  se\eral  aflieles  I  Wfote 
umlef  the  alio\'e  eai)tioll  fof  one  of  (lUf  eouniv 
j'ajM'i's. 

•"  TImi-i'  is  no  siihjecl    in  w  liieli   X'ifLTinians  feel 

deeper   inlefesl ,   op   lo   W  ll  iell    t  lieV   a  i'e  uiN  illll    niofe 

aiteniion.  than  lliai  which  j)c!tains  id  the  ohli- 
^mlioiis  and  the  i-esonfces  of  \'ii-i:inia.  l)rsii-e 
foi'  infoiiiiatioii  upon  this  snhject  is  almost  nni- 
\crs;il.  No  ]ioJiiical  spcakei'  complies  with  the 
wishes  of  fullills  the  expectations  of  his  hea  fefs 
wiihoni  sa  yinu' soiiiei  hiiiu'  upon  it.  The  jiolit  ical 
pfcss.  it  is  inie,  stfi\cs  most  eaflieslly  to  silence 
and  to  (piiel  this  spii-ii  of  impiifv,  hut.  like 
r.ampio's  uhost.  'it  will  not  down  at  their  hid- 
ilimr."  Vet,  stfani:<'  as  it  may  st-cm.  tliou_;li  the 
political    papers,   with   hut    few    exceptions,   eaiai- 

estly    (ippiise    i  II  \  ( 'sl  i  (j;.|  I  i  oil    aild    discllssiiin    of    the 

snlijeci.  they  rarely  fail  to  |uililis|i  all  ilial  can 
l»e  sa  ill   on  oiic  side  of  it . 

••'idle  dii'p  and  L:ener;il  iniei-esi  fell  upon  this 
suhjeei  is  not  surpi'isiiiLr.  It  is  a  suhjeri  (if  real 
and  practical  imporiaiice,  in  which  all  are  inier- 
esicd.  It  shouhl.  therefore,  lie  fully,  yet  fairly 
and  calinh'.  discussed.      It   shmild  lie  consiilered 


()0       AHf(jhi()(iraj)Jnj    of    -John    IJ.    Mastscj/ 

and  dealt  with  as  ])i'actical  business  men  consider 
and  deal  with  their  ])rivate  and  individual  in- 
terests. 

'•  77/r  I)<  hf  of   \'ir(iiiii(i  of  ISC.l 

was,  accord inu'  to  ollicial  i-eport,  s.'^l.lST.!t!M».,'iL\ 
It  is  claimed  that  the  j>ayment  of  this  «lel»t, 
w  ith  its  accnmnlate<l  interest,  devolves  upon  the 
I)resent  State  of  A'ir,<;inia. 


"  /x  This  (lahn  y<iJi(l.' 

"  iM'om  and  after  the  17th  of  Ai^ril,  \>^i'A,  the 
Federal  ( io\"ei-nnient  neither  ti'eated  nor  re- 
irarded  ^'iru:inia  as  a  State.  Section  .*'.  of  Article 
4  of  the  Constitution  of  the  rnite<l  States  says: 
'  Xo  new  State  shall  he  formed  or  erected  within 
the  jurisdiction  of  any  other  State.'  'S'et,  on  the 
*')lst  of  December,  iStil!,  the  FedcM'al  (rovei'iiment 
jtrovided  foi-  the  admission  of  \\'est  \'iruinia 
into  the  ('nion  as  a  new  State,  entirely  separate 
from,  and  in<l(^])endent  of,  the  jurisdiction  of 
A'irii'inia.  This  would  have  been  ;i  pjiljtable  vio- 
lation of  the  Sectiiin  I  liave  (|Uoted  if  the  l-'e(leral 
(ln\-ei-nmeid    reuarded   X'jrLiinia  as  a   Sht/c. 

••On  the  llth  of  April,  ]Si\~K  the  Confederate 
f(U'ces  undei'  Ceneral  Lee  surrendered  to  the 
for(  es  of  the  l'e(leral  (loNcrument.  l-'rom  that 
time  until  danu.-iry  L't;.  ]s7().  ;ill  tliat  remained  of 
(lie  old  State,  jifier  the  fni-matioTi  of  \\'est  \'ir- 
irinia.  was  held  jind  tre;ile<l  ;is  a  con<pn're<l 
pro\inre.  Ii  \\;is  ((instiiutiMl  iniit  •  .Militnry  I>is- 
tiict  Xo.  1."  and  held  ;ind  governed  as  such  until 
the  time  last  st;lte(|.  Wlmtevef  nf  civil  i^overn- 
iiient  tlifi-c  \\;is  duriuLi:  this  jiei'ind  was  merely 
pI'o\ision;il.  ('lOX'ernol's  IMei'pont  and  Wells  wei-e 
military  ap])i>intees,  ami  held  their  apj»oint  ments 


••  /)'  his  iiml   'In. 


r.i 


jirid  jici'TitniH'd   ilu-  fiiiici  imi  nf  llicir  dtlifc  umli-r 

lln'  CMliirol  (if.  ;illil  vlllijccl  III  ihr  (|icl;il  iiill  of. 
lllilil;ll\    i<iiiilii;i  iidcI'S.       Il    \\;is  cXIirrsslv   drcljin'tl 

iliiil  *;iiiv  cixil  LiiiN  cniiiii'iii  wliicli  iiuiv  exist 
ihiTciii  sli;ill  lie  dcciiiril  |ii()\  isi(iii;il  (iidv,  and  in 
all  fc<|M-(is  suliicci  Id  ilic  paia  iiKHiiit  aulliorily 
(if  llif  I'liiti'd  Siaics  al  aiiv  liiiic.  id  ahidisli. 
iiKidifv,  cdiii  i'i\  f.  di-  sn|ici'cc(lc  llic  same." 

"  \\  lidi  ii  |ilcasf(|  ihc  I'cdcral  <  Id\ crniiii'iit  to 
iMTiiiil  *  .Miliiafv  l>isiii(i  \(i.  1  '  Id  liccdinc  a 
Shil<\  il  iidi  diijy  |ii-fsciilicd  llic  jijaii  of  [n-dccd- 
11  n-  liv  which  ii  was  id  he  ddiic.  luil  diciatcil 
the  main  fcaiiircs  t>\'  ihc  < '(Uisi  ii  nl  ion  Id  lie 
fraiiH'd,  and  pic^ci-ilicd  ihc  cdndiiidiis  iipun 
which  ihc  newly  fdrnied  State  wdiild  he  ad- 
mit ic(  I   in  Id  ihc  rnidii.     AimiiiL:'  nlhef  cdndilidiis 

illllMisc(|.    we    WCfc   fC(|uifed    Id   cilia  llei  |  Kl  I  e   all    dllf 

sla\cs.  which  cdii^i  i  I  ui  imI  iiidfe  than  diiclialf  of 
diir  a\ailah|e  |ifd|ici'ly  ;  and  Id  '  ri /nn/nih  '  the 
whdh'  df  the  (  "diifederalc  dchi,  aiid  all  ihc  delit 
df  N'iruiiiia  ilial  was  cdni  i-;icic(|  after  the  ITih 
df  Ainil.  l^til.  This  can-ie(|  with  il  mil  diily 
her  ciiiii-c  ciii-rcticy.  Imt  all  lici-  '  'rrcasiiry  miles.' 
all  the  sidckv  her  citizens  held  in   her  hanks,  and 

c\Cfy     c\  idellce    df     imielitedllcsv     is^ljcd     aflel'     the 

time  alidNc  siaicil.  Many  df  X'iru'iii  ia's  ticsi  ciii- 
/.clis  iImkc  thill  cdlivccraled  ilieirall  Id  the  [ires 
ciwalidii  df  hci'  riiihls  ;md  the  ma  iniciia  m-c  df  her 
lidiKir  hail  iii\csici|  nearly  e\cr\ihinu'  iliey  pds 
sc>--e(|  in  ilic^c  ^cciiriiic^.  and  were  iidi  diily 
im|Mi\  eri^hed,  hill   Idlally  rilillcil  hy  ihiv  ;i  I'hil  r;i  i-y 

e\crcivr    (  ,f    |M  i\\  cl'. 

•'When  N'iiLiinia  w  as  ml  niin  cd  iiiid  ihc  I'nidn 
(111  the  L'f.ih  df  .lainiary.  \^'HK  --lie  I'liicpi'd  ii  .ms 
an  eiiiircly  //<  //■  Siaic.  She  was  Hdi  ihc  same  in 
her    ici  riidfi;!  1    limii^.    her    cii  i/cn^hili,    mif    her 


G2       Aiitohiograplijj    of    Joint    E.    Masscy 

oT'iiaiiic  l;nv  as  A'ii'ixinia  of  18()1.  Fiulcr  those 
(•ii'ciimstaiiccs  1  caiiiiot  believe  she  was  under 
any  \v<^:\\  or  moral  ohliualion  to  ])ay  the  debt 
of  tlie  ohl  Stale,  or  oii^lit  ever  to  have  as- 
sumed  it. 

"  Tlie  Fe(h'ral  ( JoviM'nmeiit,  havin<i:  (h'stroyed 
the  old  State,  divided  her  territoi'v,  and  com- 
])(lled  liei'  former  citizens  to  ,i;ive  np  miu'e  than 
one-half  of  their  ])ro|)env,  without  any  comiX'U- 
salion  therefor,  and  to  re])udiate  every  o])li.i:;ation 
she  assumed  after  A])ril  17,  \S{')],  ouuht  to  hav(^ 
assumed  and  ]iaid  her  (h'l)t.  Tliis  o])inion  is  sus- 
tained by  the  himliest  judicial  antlnu'ity.  (Jover- 
noi*  Kem])er  said,  in  a  messaii'e  achlressed  to  the 
A'ii'Liinia  legislature.  Mai-cli  1*7.  1S7t:  'In  view 
of  well  settled  ]U'incii)les  of  ])ublic  law,  it  is 
(h'Uionst  i-ably  ti'ue  that  the  Fniled  States,  ])y 
intei-jtosim!:  between  us  and  oui'  creditors,  and 
di\idin_ii"  and  destroyinu'  the  oriixinal  entity  of 
the  ( 'ommonwealth,  became  liable  for  at  least  so 
mucli  of  h.ei'  debt  as  is  due  to  non-resi(h'nt 
ci'editoi-M.' 

'•  This  claim  is  not  based  u])on  the  sim])le 
fact  tliat  \'ii'iiinia  was  c(m(|uered  by  the  l-^'dei'al 
( loN'ernment,  oi-  that  liei'  tei'i-itory  was  (]ivi(h'd, 
oi'  iliat    her  oi'Lianic   law   has  been    chan:L::ed. 

'"  It  is  based  upon  the  facts  that  the  I'ederal 
( loverniiieiit  completely  desti'oyed  tlie  entity  or 
beinii'  <'f  the  State;  so  that  there  was  no  State 
against  whicli  the  creditors  could  ]H"oc(mm1,  oi* 
ffom  \\hi<-li  they  could  collect  their  <h'bt, — that 
llie  federal  ( !o\-eiiiinenI  not  only  destroyed  the 
Slate,  bill  the  ju'operty  of  her  cili/.eiis  ii])on  the 
f;iilli  of  which  the  debt  had  been  contracteil,  and 
without  whicli  it  could  not  be  jiaid.  In  otlu-r 
Words,  ihe  l'e(ler;il  ('loxcrnment  ha\iiu;'  <;one  l)e- 


l)i  ///.s'   <linl    'I'll  rrs 


♦;;? 


twiM'ii  tlic  St;itr  jiikI  its  crcililui's.  1111(1  liaviiiL^ 
(Icsi  rovcil  hutli  the  Si.iic  ;iii(|  its  M^scts.  or  iiiciins 
(if  ji;iviiiLr  its  (icliis.  tlicrcliv  Immiiiih'  i-i'S|)(iiisilt]f 
lo    its   crcdiioi's. 

"    I     (jo    not     rcfc]'    to    the    CXIM-IISCS    of    llli'    \\;\]\ 

or  till'  losses  rcsiiliiim'  Icuil  imatflv  fi'oiii  ii.  Imt 
to  ilic  total  (lest  riicl  ion  of  iiioi-c  ihaii  oiit-half  of 
oiir  jiropcriy  after  the  war   iwithoiii  aiiv   jiisiiti- 

al)le    rraSiUll,    and    the    colisriiuellt    ijilllinilt  joli    of 

the  residue,      in  eoii-idera I  ioii  of  ihese  faeis  N'ii'- 

Uillia    oimhl     Iie\-el'    to    ha\e    assllined     the    deht     of 

the  old  Slate;  1)111   it  ouiz'ht   to  ha\c  lieeii  assumed 

liV     I  he     l'e(leral     (  Io\  (•rillllelil. 

"  Thi  elaini  that  the  N'irLiinia  of  to-day  is 
lioiiiid    to    pay    the    delii    of    \'iiL;iiiia    of    IsC.l    is 

lia^ed  ll[ioli  the  assillii]it  ioll  that  the  detil  fol- 
lowed the  soil,  and   is  a   \alid  oMiuaiion  upon   its 

oeellpaills.         If     it      had     followeil     ihe     eili/.elis    or 

the  personal  pi-operty  of  the  old  State,  or  lioth 
of  these  eoinldlled.  it  eollhl  iillil  hilt  a  small 
I'eliinailt  of  lliem  in  exislelire.  .\llllo>I  the  ell- 
tire  personal  property  of  the  State  ha^  lieeii  de- 
siroxed.  while  her  eii  i/.iai'-hip  has  lieeii  ehanued 
to  a    eorrev|ioiid  in^:'  ileu'ree. 

•'  Iter  lands  are  almost  the  only  thiiiLi'  that  vc- 
niaiiiv.  Ilo\\  far  the  |inldie  delii<  of  one  i^en- 
eration  hind  the  1;iimN  or  oiher  properi\  id'  the 
Mieired  i  iil;'  ^i 'I  I ' '  I'a  I  I  o  I  i  .  imder  ;iny  ci  nai  m--i  a  mes, 
i^  a  (pievi  imi  w  (iiM  hy  of  verion<  <-onsi(h'ra  i  ioii. 

'■W'iihoiii  attemplinu  ii-^  diseii^vidii.  I  will 
ui\e   ;i    fi'w    liriet"   e\iraei<    froiii    tie'    wriiitiu^    of 

one   W  llo>e   W  ivdoln,  >I  ;  |  |  i  ^v  1 1 1  ;|  i  |-.h  i  p.  J  lid    pa  I  rio|  islll 

a  re  iini\  i-r>a  lly  aik  now  h^du'-d.  ;i  tid  w  lio>-e  o|iiiii(iii 
upon  ;iny  (pievii,,[i   ,,\'  Si  ,i  i  !•  po|  icy    i->  eniiiled    to 

the     llfe.-i  I  ivvl      ri-S[H'eI. 

'•In  a   letter  written   li\    Mr.  delfer-oii   to  Mr. 


f)4       AutohiograpJiy    of   John   E.    Masfinj 

Madison,  wliicli  may  be  found  on  tlic  L'Ttli  to  tlie 
.'ilM  jiauc  of  llic  third  volume  of  '  The  Wril  i u.u's  of 
Thomas  .IcITci-son,*  he  says: 

"  '  The  (]U('st  ion  wlict  her  oiu>  .ucnci'at  ion  of  man 
lias  a  I'in'hr  to  bind  another  seems  never  to  have 
])een  startetl  eithei'  on  Ihis  side  or  out*  side  of 
tlie  watei*,  yet  it  is  a  (luestion  of  surh  eonse- 
<|Uence  as  not  only  to  nu'rit  decision,  ])ut  ])lace, 
also,  amoni;  the  fundanu'utal  primiides  of  every 
uovernnu'iit.  The  course  of  I'etlection  in  which 
we  are  immersed  hei'e  (  Paris)  on  the  elementary 
])rincij)les  of  society,  has  ])resented  this  (juestion 
to  my  mind;  and  that  no  such  obliu'ation  can  Ix^ 
transmitted  T  thiidc  vei'v  ca])able  of  ])roof. 

" '.  .  .  I  su|>j)ose  that  the  received  ojtinion, 
that  the  public  debts  of  one  _ii;enei'at  ion  devolve 
on  the  next,  has  been  su:Lr,^<'sted  ])y  our  seeiiiiLC 
habitually  in  ])i'ivate  life,  that  he  who  succeeds 
to  lands  i*;  i'e(juii'ed  to  ])ay  the  debts  of  his 
])redecessoi' ;  without  considei'iui:;  that  this  re(|ui- 
sition  is  municiy)al  nidy.  not  uu)i'al,  tlowinii'  fi'(uu 
the  will  of  the  society,  which  has  found  it  con- 
venient to  ajipT'opriate  the  lands  of  a  descendant 
(tn  condition  of  a  payment  of  his  de1)t  ;  but  that 
between  society  and  society,  or  li'enei'at  ion  and 
LTenerat  i(ui.  ihei'e  is  no  municipal  obliuation,  no 
umi)ire  but    the  law    of  natui-e. 

"  '  The  eai'th  beloni::s  always  to  the  liviuu"  ijfen- 
erai  ion. 

'•  ' 'j'he  conclusion,  llien.  is.  that  neither  the 
i'e])i'eseTitat  i\'es  of  a  iiati(Ui,  nor  the  wliole  nati(Ui 
itself  assembled,  can  xalidly  eimau'e  debts  be- 
yond what   they  may  ]iay  in   their  own  time. 

At  tii-st  lilush  it  may  be  laiiu'hed  at 
as  the  di-eam  of  a  iheoi'ist.  but  examination  will 
jiro\-e   it    to  be  solid    and   salutary." 


••  Ih  his  (iiid   'I'a.n  s 


(..) 


••  Tlif  claim  llial  ilir  luiltlic  dcltt  of  tlif  oM 
Si  ah'  t"i>l  lowed  I  lie  .so/7,  and  is  a  \  alid  rhai'LTi'  iiiidu 
its  |ii-cscnt  (ifciipaiils,  iiiidci'  all  tlir  cii-cuin- 
siaiicrs  dciailcd,  caiiiiol  he  siisiaiiit'd  ii|hiii  aiiv 
riitlii  |ii'inciidcs. 

"  r>iii  ii|iini  iIm-  assuiii|il  inn  iliat  siicli  was  the 
case,  wlial  would  he  an  (miu  ii  aide  sd  I  Ifiiiciil  of 
it  —  I'ii'si,  hctwfcii  \'irt:iiua  and  WCsi  N'ii'Lriiiia  ; 
and.  secondly,  between  llie  Stales  and  tiie  bond- 
In  ddei-s? 

••  If  llie  di'bl  followed  the  soil,  wliell  I  lie  soil 
was   di\ided    the   debt    oimlll    lo    lia\e    been    di\ided 

in  the  same  |iro]ioi'i  ions  tliat   the  soil   was.     This 

is  too  selfe\  idem  ly  coffect  to  Heed  ail\  afUll- 
nielll  to  elif.ircc  it.  llelice.  assumiiiu'  that  the 
new  State  of  \'ifuinia  coniains  two  tliifds  of  the 
telTitofV  of  the  old  Slate,  it  wonld  de\ol\e  njioll 
her  to  set  t  le  t  Wd-t  hi  fds  of  the  debt.  No  pfillcilde 
id"    e(|uity    I-e(|iiires    hel'    to    assume    the    seltleiuelll 

id'  a  Lifeaier  jii-oiioi-i  ion  of  the  debt  than  she  holds 

of     the     lel'I-il  ofV. 

"  (  dlicia  I  re]  HUM.  as  alfeady  staled,  show  ed  the 
debt  of  \'ii-inia  of  iscj  i,,  be  s;;i.i s7.!i:i:). ;;•_'. 
•  Inly  I.  1^71.  it  was  s  IC.'.M  I. I'lis. •_'.-,.  'I'his  in- 
ciease  (if  si  r».7llti.'_'(is.l):',  was  iuiei-csi  that  accrued 
f  to  III  .lanuai'y  1 .  1  '^•l  j .  [,>  duly  i .  I  >7  I .  ami  w  hidi, 
b\  an  ai-i  pas-ed  in  isbi"..  ami  the  act  <<(  Mai'di 
."><»,  1^71.  commonly  known  as  the  *l"umlinLr 
r.ill."  was  c<iu\ei-|ed  into  |tii  mi  pa  1.  <  >f  this  sum 
sj  .!)7."..(i7  l.ns   was   interest    uiiou   iuiei-esi. 

'■  The  ad\ecaies  of  the  'I'lindiuL:'  r.ill'  claim 
thai    b\    the  |iasv;i|_^c  of  ili;ii    bill    X'iruiiiia   was  Vi'- 

lie\  I'd     of    one  I  hiid     of     her    debt  . 

••    1  loll.    .].     \\,     Ihld-iu.    of    (  'aK.lille.    one    of     the 

oi'iuinal    siiii[iorlei-s   of    that    mi'asiife.    said    in    a 

speech     deli\ei-ed     in     the     Ijonse    of     l)eleuates    of 


(U>       Au(ohio(/ni]iJn/    of    Joint    E.    Man^cy 

\\v'Xu\vA    (til    I'cbiiiai-y   0,    IST.',   and    for   wliicli 
he  was  wariiilv  (■(tiiuratulatcd  hy  i(s  friends: 

"  '  II  docs  scciii  1o  nil'  liaisli  and  uin'casonablc 
in  those  who  (h'nonncc  llic  I'^nndini;  Hill  and 
claiiii  snjH'i'ior  wisdom  and  cxitcricnce  in  pnhlic 
matters,  and  who  are  in  fact  most  responsible 
for  this  debt,  to  ask  or  ex]>ecl  the  abandonment 
of  a  contracl  that  has  virtually  lifted  .^ir).O(M),- 
(MH)  of  debt  from  the  shoulders  (jf  the  tax-])ayin.i; 
]»eo])le  of  this  Slate.  I  invite  the  anti-fniiders  to 
deny   this  statement/ 

'•  The  Kichmond  /w/c/////"'/".  one  of  the  most 
zealous  advocates  of  tlie  i'^nndinu"  Uill,  said,  in 
its  Icadiiiii'  editorial  of  l-'cbrnary  7,  ISTl*: 

"  •  !*y  this  bill  each  ci-e(litor  is  required  to 
surrender  his  bonds  or  certiticales  (d'  debt  to  be 
cancelled,  and  in  ])lace  thereof  is  to  receive  ;i 
new  bond  bearinu'  ^ix  I'<'i'  et'iit.  for  two-thirds 
of  his  debt,  h'or  the  other  third  tlie  State  is 
resjioiisible  only  for  so  much  as  she  may  recei\-e 
from  West   \'iri,dnia. 

*' '.  .  .  The  consideration  on  the  ]>art  of 
the  crediior  is  the  release  (d'  one-third  of  his 
debt.  I'or  this  cijiisidei'at  ion  the  Stale  contracts 
to  pay  him  two-lliir<ls  of  his  oi-iii-inal  debt, 
with  six  per  ceiil.  intei-est  (iliat  beinii-  th<'  oriij;- 
Inal    iiileresli    on   the  entire  two-thirds.' 

"The  < 'liarlot  tes\ille  ('h  r«iii/c!c.  another  zeal- 
ous ad\ocate  of  tlie  t'nndinu'  [till,  reiterates  the 
same  seiiiiments.  in  its  issue  of  diiiie  iT),  IS"."), 
s|»cal<inu-  of  tlie  oiie-third  for  which  ceriiticates 
of  imlcbicijiiess  ha\'e  been  ui^■cn.  it   said: 

••'It  iiieaiis  that  the  State,  in  its  distinctly 
siaicd  jio^iiloii  of  irusiee.  colli eiii pla t ed  nothing 
iiioM'  than  the  payment  of  such  sum  as  she  miuht 
obtain  from  \\'est   X'irLrinia  on  a  settlement,  and 


Ih  Jits  iiiid   'I'll  I  >  V  " 


(V 


tilt'  criMliioi's  so  uiidfistudii  ilic  ariMimtMiiriit. 
The  adjust  iiiciii  was  tlcniicd  a  practical  scitlc- 
iiiriil  i)f  the  tiiifstiiiii  so  far  a^  N'iruinia  is  coii- 
ccrutMJ.  ami  iKitnulv  iwc  Nrinuic  td  sav  Hot  c\fn 
.Mr.  .Masscvi  l)clic\fs  for  a  inoinciii  that  the 
ci-c(liiois  will  t'\cr  ailciii[)i  lo  hold  \'iruiiiia  rc- 
spoiisililc  for  it  furthci'  than  Wf^i  N'irLiiiiia  niav 
a^rcc  to  |iav.  Nohodv  rccoL^ni/.o  ii  as  a  jtai't  of 
our  dctil.  or  c.\|M'cis  it  to  'j:\\['  aiiv  further 
troiiiilc." 

'•This  claiiu  iiliat  the  I'uinliiiu'  Hill  reduced 
theilelit  id'  X'iruiiiiai  is  uenerall  \ ,  if  not  univer- 
sally, uri:ed  hy  its  suppoi'iers  and  ad\iKate>.  Thus 
the    poliiical     pi'e>s    has    lauulii,    and     thus    ihe^ 

Jieojde    ha\('    liecll     made    to    l)e|ie\('. 

"   /loir    I'iir   (hi    I'llcis    Siislniii    'ill  IS    ('lil'ini.' 

"The  delit  of  N'iiuinia.  as  hefoic  stated,  in 
•  lanuai'v.  IM'.I,  was  s;;  IJ  sT.'.tH'.t. :',!'.  No  one  de- 
nies thai  the  whole  Slate,  as  it  then  exivicd.  was 
liouinl  foi-  this  deht  wiih  its  accruiiiL:  iniere>t. 
()neiliir(l  of  the  teia-itory  id'  \'iruini.'i.  with  its 
taxalde    jiroiiei-i\.    was    taken    from    hei-.       Now. 

SUp[iov(.    it     Id    I),.    I  rile     |    j     ;|!||    volTV    it     is    IKi!    I     ijial 

the  reniaininu-  iwo-ihirils  n\'  the  Stale  were  fully 

I'elea>ed    hy    the     I  "  11 1  h  I  i  U  U'    I '•  i  1  1     fl'iMII    e\oI-\     oliliua- 

lion  lo  pay  any  part  of  ihe  third  foi-  which  it-v 
liticaies  of  indelii  .(1  iios  are  Lii\cn.  how  would 
t  hat     I'imIiki'    I  he    di'lil  '.' 

"If  I  he  W  hole  (,f  I  h,.  Slale  W  ere  ImUnd  \'><l 
I  he      W  hoh-     of     I  he     del. I.      how       (hux     d  i  \  i  <  j  i  U  LI      t  lie 

Slate  and  the  delu  in  eipial  pii  ipMi-i  ioii^  icduie 
t  III'    aiiioiini     I  hat    eii  Inu'    \k\  it     ha  v    to    jia  \  '.'       I  f 

ihl-ee  rowv  (if  ci.ril  arr  lo  he  Inifd  l>\  thleo  nirll. 
I  SU]ipo-^r  i-acli  man  will  he  cXpei  Ird  lo  hoi'  one 
row.        .Now.    who    would    allelllpl     |o    coII\illcr    two 


08       Aiifohiof/rajiJi!/    of    John    E.    Massci/ 

of  llicsc  men  that  llicir  labor  would  be  rcduccMl 
by  (liscliai'uiiig"  one  man  and  abandoniiii;  one 
I'ow?  1  fear  llial  in  llic  case  wo  arc  now  con- 
sidci-inu'  we  shall  tind  tlial  while  one-third  of 
the  laborers  ha\L'  been  discharged  the  anionnt 
of  labor  has  been  ineiH'ased — that  w  liile  the  wliolo 
<lebt  is  saddled  njjon  two-thii-ds  of  the  State,  the 
debt  has  Ix'en  increased   fiiliv  fifty  ])er  cent. 

"The  decision  of  the  Conii  of  A|)]H'als,  in 
the  case  of  iiiii'ii-inbotham  a.ujainst  the  (Common- 
wealth, settles  the  j)rincij)le  that  if  Vir<j:inia, 
as  she  now  exists,  is  Itonnd  for  any  ])art  of  the 
debt  of  ^'ir.^■inia  as  she  existed  in  1S('»1,  she  is 
bound  for  the  whole  of  it. 

"  r>ut,  as  before  stated,  the  advocates  of  tlie 
I'nndinii'  r.ill  claim  that  the  i)assa.ii;e  of  that  bill 
by  the  leuislatnre  of  N'iru-Jnia  and  the  aeee])t- 
ance  of  its  teiaus  by  bondholders  I'ednced  the 
debt  of  \'ir,uinia  by  releasinu'  her  from  one-third 
(»f  her  indebtedness.  Two  ihinu's  ai'e  necessary 
to  the  establishment  of  this  cdaim.  It  must 
tirst  be  shown  tliat  N'ii'uinia  of  ISII  was  bound 
for  the  whole  debt   of   X'iriiinia   (»f   ISC.l. 

''  She  surely  c(Uild  not  be  released  fi'(un  any- 
thing' foi-  which  she  was  not  bound,  it  must  be 
shown,  secondly,  that  the  I'lindini;'  I'dll  released 
the  State  of  \'ir,uinia  fiom  oiie-tliii-d  of  the  debt 
that  they  cont<'nd  she  was  bound  for  before  its 
j)assa.u'e.  Can  either  of  these  |)roi>osit  ions  bt' 
sustained '.' 

•'  I  lliiid<  it  has  been  shown  that  \'ir,irinia  can- 
not be  e(|uitably  chai-,i:(Ml  wilii  more  than  two- 
thirds  of  the  debt  of  the  old  Slale,  <-\cu  UJioU 
the  assiiiiipl  ion  thai  this  debt  followed  the  soil 
and    became  a    \alid    chaiiie  uj)on    its  occupants 

"  Does  the  I-'undiiiL:-  Uill  release  N'iruinia  fi-om 


"  hi  hts  dm/   Tan  s 


<;i) 


all  (il»l  iuat  i"'iis  ftii"  oiH-  I  liiid  df  ihc  ddii  n(  ilic 
old  Stall',  cxccitt  s(i  iiiiicli  as  sin-  iiiav  rccciNf 
from    West    X'ii'Liiiiia '.' 

"  If  il  were  ijic  |iiii|iosc  (tf  till'  fi'aiiicfs  of 
that  hill  to  make  a  coiiii-aci  with  ihr  hohlcrs 
<if  N'ir^iiiia  hoiids  hy  which  iht-  ]in'Sfiii  Sialr  of 
N'iruinia  wdiild  In-  rclcasfd  from  ihc  [laymciit  of 
oiK'-ihii'd  of  the  amoiiiii  id'  thtii-  homls.  in  con- 
sidcralioii  of  hci-  dismciidM-i-nifiii,  and  of  iht-  ad- 

\ailtaU('S    thl'V     Wdllld    secure    hy     IJie    exchange    iif 

their  old  anichejlum  hoiids  for  new  ones  with 
ta\-i-ccei\  aide  coupons,  ihey  ouu'ht  to  liaxc  done 
so  in  lan^ua;i'e  so  |(lain  ami  unanddunous  ihal 
none  could  misundci'siand   its  meaninu'. 

••  ni<l   llu  II   ho   This.' 
"  The  third  section  of  the  I'undinu  I'dll   iiads: 

'    I'pon    liie    SUI'I-emlel'    of    the    old    aild     the    accepl- 

aiice  of  the  new   hoiids  for  two-thirds  the  amount 

due  as  provided  in  the  last  precediliL:'  secti(Ul, 
there  shall  he  issued  to  the  owner  or  oWIIi'rs.  fnv 
tin-  other  om'-third  (d'  the  amount   due  ujion   the 

old    homls,   stock,   or  cerlilicate  of   iuilehtednos  so 

surremh-refl,  a  cerlilicate  hearinu'  the  same  dale 
as  iln-  new  Inuid,  seitinu'  f«u'lh  the  amount  of 
the  hiind  which  is  not  futided  as  [u-o\ided  in  the 
last  pfeceilini:  sect  ion,  .1  nd  that  [»a\ment  of>aid 
amount     wiih    interest    tliereon,   at    the    rate    pi'e- 

Scfihed      in      the     houd      surrendered,     will      he     |U'o 

\  ided  f  ( U'  in  acciu'dance  with  sin-Ii  settlement 
as  shall  hereafter  he  had  hetwceti  the  States  ..f 
N'iruinia  and  \\'e>i  N'irLiiuia  in  re:^;ird  to  the 
puhlic  dehi    id"  the   Stale  iif   N'iruitiia   exisiim;'  at 

the     titlie     (  d'     the      d  i  vi  i  le  n  I  hen  I  let  1 1  .      alld      thai       till' 

State  <d'  N'iruinia  IimJcU  said  ImukU.  so  f;ir  as  un- 
funde(l,  in   tru^t    for  the  holder  (U-  his  a^>iuiiees.' 


70       Aut()l)i()<jraiihij    of    John    E.    Masscy 

*'  Tliis  iiKsiiis  iintliiiii;  more  tliaii  11i:it  llic  liold- 
ci's  of  these  cert  iticalcs  ai'c  to  dcfcf  their  eoUei'- 
t  ion  uiilil  X'ii'uiiiia  lias  reasoiialdc  lime  to  ascer- 
tain lioNV  iiiiieh  (if  any)  of  tiie  (h'ht  West 
\'iri:,inia  \\\\\  a^ree  to  i»ay.  It  (hu's  not  release 
^'ir,^•illia  from  the  payment  of  one  dollar,  l»nt 
lea\'es  her  bonnd  for  e\ei'y  dollar  of  it,  both 
})rineii)al  and  interest. 

"  \\'hatever  ])oi-tion  of  the  debt  of  the  old 
State  West  A'iruinia  ]>ays  will  l)e  a]»|)lied  to 
tile  ])ayment  of  this  third,  ^^'ha1ever  sjic  fails 
to  ]iay  will,  aeeordiiiu'  to  the  ]tiM)\isions  of  the 
I'nndinu'  Uill,  be  demanded  of  \'iri:inia.  In  this 
way,  and  this  way  only,  '  jiaynient  of  said  amount 
with  intei-est  tliei-eon  at  the  rate  jn-esei-ibcd  in 
tlie  bond  surrendered,  will  lie  ]iro\ided  for  in 
accordance  N\ith  such  settlement  as  shall  liere- 
afiei'  be  had  between  the  States  of  X'ii'irinia  and 
West  \'ir,u"inia  in  reuai-d  to  the  ]»idilic  debt  of 
A'iri^inia  existinu'  at  the  time  of  the  dismcmbei-- 
nieiii.'  If  West  N'ii'uinia  j)ays  the  whole  amonnt 
of  this  one-third,  N'iruinia  will  be  i-elie\'ed  of  it 
all.  if  West  N'iruinia  ]»ays  bin  one-half  of  it, 
\'ii'uinia  will  be  calleil  on  foi-  the  other  half. 
If  West  A'iruinia  ]>ays  none  of  it.  N'ir^inia  will 
be  calleil    n]ion    for   the   whole  amount. 

"The  I'lindiiiLT  Uill  docs  not  j»ro\ide  foi"  the 
]iaymeiil  of  so  much  of  this  third  as  \\'est  \'ii'- 
Liinia  aiirecs  to  jiay.  Imi  foi-  the  jiaymeiit  of  the 
whole  of  it  in  accoi'dance  with  siidi  sciilement 
as  the  two  Siaics  may  mak( — seiiliiiL;'  the  ]ior- 
tion  of  the  (b'bt  lildper  to  be  boiaie  by  each  State, 
re>[iecl  i\-cly. 

•• 'i'lial  this  is  the  |iT-ojiei'  construction  of  the 
I'liiHliiiLi:    IJiil    i>^.    I    think,    suscept  ibie    of    clear 

jil'iiof. 


/)'  Ills  a  III/  'I'd  II  s 


"  ( !(i\  iTiior  Walkfi',   'llic   f;iilii'i'  of   ilic   I'liiiii 
iiii:'  Act."  said,  in  liis  iiirssaL^i-  ni'LiitiL;-  its  jiassairf: 

••  •  1 1  was  iic\cr  iiiiciidi'il  or  (diiiciii|>lalo«I  that 
llit'i-c  should  Ilea  division  liciwi-cii  iln-  i  w  o  Slalc-^ 
of  ilu'  oi-iii,iiial  iiidrliii'diii-ss  ill  ii<  oi'i^iiiial  t'onii. 
Such  a  irausaclioii  would  In-  iiii[)i'a(i  iraMo,  if 
uol  iiiipossilth-.  'Idn-  oli\ious  iiiirui  and  mean- 
inu'  (d'  all  ilu'  h'uislalioii  upon  iliis  sulijcci.  hv 
each  Siaif,  is,  ihal  w  liaii-v  ci-  ainoinii  \\\r  Sialf 
<d'  W'csl  N'ii'Liiina  ouuhi  '<•  assume  >hould  Iir 
|taid  into  ihc  Ift-asurv  (d'  ilu-  Siad'  id'  \' ii'uiiii;!, 
lo  lie  liv  hiT  uscil  in  ilic  cxt  inLTuislinicui  (d'  lln- 
(U'iiiiiial  dchl.  'Idle  hoiids  ai'i-  llio  liouds  (d'  Ihc 
Slate  of  \'iii:iiiia.  iioi  WCsi  \'ii-uiiii;i  :  ;iiid  lo 
llir  li-casui'v  of  X'ifuiiiia  docs  lie  ci-cdiiiu'  lool^ 
for  I  he  paviiiciil  »d'  his  dclil.  This  \  ic\\  was  iii- 
copporaicd  into  the  Icuislai  iou  of  ISiiC.  ;ind  rc- 
saiicijoiicd  liv  ihc  people  of  lliis  Siaic  in  ihc 
adopiion  id'  our  [iiociil  < 'oiisi  i  i  ii  1  ion.  ihc  llMli 
Scciioii  id"  llic  Hull  AiMi(dc  of  which  dc(dari's: 
••  The  (d'licral  Asseiiddv  shall  pro\  idc  hy  law  for 
ad  jii>i  in::'  wiih  llie  Siaie  of  WOi  X'iiLiinia  lie 
propoi-iioii  of  ihc  puldic  dclii  of  Ndruinia  pro|icr 
to  Im'  lioiaic  ttv  ilie  Siaic  id'  N'iruinia  and  W'csi 
X'iruiiiia.  and  shall  pi-o\ii!c  ihai  such  >-uni  a^ 
shall  lie  rccei\i-d  fi-oin  \\'e>l  \' i  rui  n  i:i  ^hall  he 
a  PI  died  lo  I  he  pay  men  I  of  ihc  puldic  ddii  of  ihc 
Sialc." 

••'ALiaiii.  in  ad\ancc  of  any  seiihMncni.  how- 
can    ii    lie  a  I'liii  ra  rily   assumed    ihai    oneihird    of 

llie    delil      is     ihe     propi'T     p  Po  [  M  U' I  i  o  U     |o     lie     paid     li\ 

We-l     Niruinia '.'       Whal     i^    ihe    ha-i-    of    lliiv    a-- 
suni[ii  ion  ■.'      .      .      .      I  dn  il,    Imw  e\  er.    a    tina  I    ad 
iusMnciii    of  this    mailer   is   reach I'd.    ii    can    onl\' 
lie    I'cLiai'ded    in    the    li;:lii    of   a    claim    or  assd    of 
uncci'laiii    \aluc,    nm    in    an\     w  i^e   a  I'l'eci  iiiLi;   our 


72       Auiohiography    of    John   E.    Massrij 

liability  for  the  whole  debt.  W'hatcxci*  sum  inav 
be  cxcnhially  rcalizt'd  froiii  this  claim,  must  be 
paid  iuto  the  trcasui'V  of  our  State  and  ajjjdied 
to  the  rKpiidatiou  of  the  debt  of  Vii'iiinia  the 
saiue  as  other  funds  aj)i)roi)riated  for  that  ])ur- 
jiose.  I>ut  thus  far  thei-e  have  been  no  satisfac- 
tory indications  that  the  State  of  West  \'ir- 
iiinia  intended  to  ackno\vle(]u-e  herself  liable  to 
us  for  any  ])orlion  of  the  public  debt.' 

"  The  Kichmond  Ku(iuir(  r  of  I-^'bruary  7, 
1S71\  contains  this  editorial  note:  '  Kead  the 
letter  fi'oui  Sli^'o  from  our  intelliiicnt  corre- 
s])ondent  \'.  That's  the  way  it  strikes  an  out- 
sider.    Oh,  that  the  lei^nslatui'e  would  ]»ause!' 

"  What  does  this  '  intelligent  coi-i'es])ondent 
from    Slij^o  '   say? 

''He  says:  'The  o]>])onents  of  the  h'undiuix 
I>ill  say  that  it  contains  not  only  the  i;-ei'm  of 
re]»U(liat  ion,  but  the  full-uroNNH  ]daut  itself. 
None  oil  this  side  of  the  Atlantic  thus  accejjt  it. 
The  vState  of  N'iruinia  aij^rec'd  by  that  bill  to 
])ay  interest  on  two-thirds  of  its  de])t,  but  it. 
did  not  rejtudiate  the  remaiiiini!:  third.  It  is- 
siumI  on  tliat  third  a  certiti<-ate  of  indebtedness, 
l)eariii,u'  inlcresi  at  six  ])er  cent.,  and  to  l)e  jtaid 
in  accordance  with  such  settlement  as  shall 
hereafter  be  had  between  the  Stales  of  N'ii'uiuia 
and  West  \'ir,i:"inia.  and  the  Slate  holds  such 
iioiids  so  far  as  unfundeil,  fur  the  holder  or  his 
assi;U'ns.  Thei-i'  is  no  iicrni  of  re|iudiatiou  there. 
Whatever  West  \'ir.uinia  pays  the  holder  will 
uet.  and  if  it  be  found  (Ui  a  settlement  that  West 
\'iri:-inia  owes  nothiiiLT,  the  State  of  \'iri;inia  will 
1m-  liable  for  the  wlude  sum.  We  do  not  doubt 
that  West  \'irL;iiiia  is  liable  for  some  jiortioii 
of    the    old    debt.       Whatever    it    shall    i)ay,    the 


"  Ii(  },tx  (uul  'I'a.r'  s 


r:? 


liitMiTs  of  ilir  ccrl  iti(;itcs  uf  indclttiMliicss  shall 
icrt'ivc,  aii<l  the  Slate  of  X'ii'Lriiiia  I  I']ast  i  is  ac- 
roiiiitatilc  for  the  tialaiiif.  'I'tiat  is  my  n-adiiii; 
of  iliis  ri-i't  iticalc,  ami  I  hi-lii-xc  ihc  inif  mcaniiii^ 
of  it.  1  do  Hot  coiisidci-  it  a  sham,  l»iit  a  reality; 
and  if  N'iruiiiia  l»e  the  Slate  I  ihoiiirlit  when 
1    IMinliased,    1    li(die\-e  the  ceftitirate  ( d'   illdelited- 

mss   lo   li('  as   i^ood   a    seeiirity   as  any    hond    in 

till'     Wdflij." 

"  ilei'e  \\t'  see  that  the  "  fatiiei'  of  the  I'niidinu: 
Act  '  and  Mnu'lish  liondliolders  ai^fee  perfectly 
in  t  heir  const  rn<-t  ion  of  it. 

■'  Ivxaminat  ion  of  the  "  .lonnial  of  the  House 
of  j)e|ei:ates  of  1  s7 1  '  must  satisfy  an\"  faif  man 
that  the  fiamei's  of  the  I'nndinLT  Hill  ne\cr  in- 
tended to  re(inire  the  holdei-s  of  the  old  State 
bonds  to  f(die\('  X'ii'uinia  fi'i»m  the  jiaymeni  of 
the  tliircj  for  which  they  ua\e  their  ceiM  iticates 
of  imjeliiedness.  When  the  hill  was  ntider  con- 
sideration .Mr.  Turnei-,  of  IJa|i|iahannoik.  mo\cd 
to  strike  from  the  section  I  lia\('  (inoied  the 
wiir(|s  "that  the  State  (d'  N'iri^inia  hoM-  said 
lioiids,  so  far  as  nnfundeih  in  trust  foi-  ihe  holder 
or  his  assiLTiiee,"  and  to  insert  in  their  stead  the 
follow  iim' :  'Settinu'  foiMli  also,  in  the  hody  of 
said  <crt  iticate,  a  iiro\iso  in  the  followiiiu'  woid^: 
r.ut  the  State  of  X'ii'uinia  is  not,  and  will  not  he 
hound,  in  an>'  manner  *>v  foiau.  for  tjie  jiavment 
now  oi'  at  any  futui'e  time,  of  this  certiticate.  oi' 
any  pari  ilierei.f;  luit  this  is  wiihoni  any  iirejn- 
dice  to  ihe  riiiiits  of  the  juddi'i'  thei'eof  lo  demand 
payment  of  ihe  same  of  ihe  State  of  Wi'^i  \'ir- 
Liiina."  This  was  a  plain  ami  detiiiite  propo^il  iou. 
in  unmislakalde  laimua'^i'.  If  it  had  ln'iui 
adopted  il  would  ha  \'e  set  I  led  lieyoiid  doulu,  that 
those   whit  surrendered   their  old   honds  and  ac- 


74       Atii<i})l<)<jruiihy    of    John    E.    Masseij 

ci'picd  new  ones  for  two-lliirds  (if  llicii-  amoniit 
llicrcliy  i'('lin(|uislu'(l  all  claim  au'ainst  Viriiiiiia 
for  the  I'ciiiainiiii;'  third.  Who  can  doubt  that 
this  ])rojiositi<»n  would  have  hccii  a.iirccd  to  by 
ihc  fiaiiicrs  of  Ihc  I'lmdinir  l»ill  if  it  had  been 
their  piirjiosc  to  ridcasc  N'iruiiiia  fi'oin  oiic-thii'd 
of  the  then  existing'  debt.  This  amendment  was 
i*ejecte(l.  and  its  I'ejection  shows  that  it  was 
not  the  ]>nrj»ose  of  those  that  rejected  il  to  I'e- 
(juii'e  tlie  bondhohh'r  to  i'(din(|nish  any  (laim 
he  had.  or  supjiosed  he  had,  au'ainst  \'ii\u'iiua  foi" 
a   sinule  dollai'. 

"  y\v.  l)ani(d  moved  to  add  to  the  third  section 
the  follow  inn':  'And  it  is  ]ii'ovided  that  the 
fimdimi;  of  t  wo-thiivls  of  the  bonds,  slocl^s.  and 
cciM  ilicates  af(n'csaid,  is  anthoi'i/.ed  and  u'T'antcd 
onI.\"  npon  the  coTidiiion  that  the  owners  of  such 
bonds,  sioclcs.  and  cert  iti<-al('s  do  i-ch-asc  and  dis- 
(■liai'uc  the  Sialc  of  \'ii'i;inia  from  all  liability 
lif  any  exists)  to  ]iay  the  rcmaininu'  one-lhird 
thci-cof.  nniil  there  sliall  lia\e  been  a  linal  set- 
tlement between  llie  Slates  of  X'iruiina  and  West 
A'iru'inia.  in  i'ei2:ard  to  tlie  jmbjic  debt  of  the 
Slate  of  A'ii'u'inia  existinu'  at  ilie  time  (d'  its 
dismeiidieiMiKMii."  This  amendment  did  not,  like 
the  former.  ]il-o|»ose  to  I'ejease  tile  Slate  of  \'ir- 
uiiii;i  from  the  niifiin(h'(l  tjiii'd  fore\ci'.  but  oidy 
to  exeiiipi  liei'  fi-oiii  iis  [i.-iymeiit  niilil  she  had 
a  linal  seiilemeiit  with  West  \'ii-uiiiia.  Uiit  e\-en 
iliis    jii'oiMisii  ior)    was   rejecied. 

■'  .Ml'.  I>;iniel  then  mo\-ed  to  amend  ihe  bill  by 
ieseiM  im:'  ;it'ier  iln'  woi'd  assii:iiees.  iienr  the  mid- 
dle of  the  tliii'd  section,  the  followini;-:  '.Vml 
il  i^  hei-eby  |iro\ided  that  llie  ceri  itiea  I  e<  auilioi'- 
i/.ed  by  this  Sei-lion  to  be  issued  ;ire  iiiiended  to 
be    m^M-e    cei't  i ti ca 1 1 'S    of    f;ict.    aud    shall    not    be 


I)<  hts   ilild    'I'll  I'  s  " 


coiisi  rued  to  lie  tcrl  i  lical  cs  uf  dchi.  ;iii<l  sliall 
iku  lie  r('C('i\t'(l  or  i-cccix  alilr  hv  tlir  Siaic  of 
N'ii'U'iiiia  in  discliaruc  of  aiiv  drlti  or  oltlii^aiion 
to  said  Sialr  for  which  ct-ri  ilicaics  of  dchi  ai'c 
r('C('i\  alih-.'  'I'his  projtosii  ion  was  likewise  re- 
jected. 

"  llel'e  wel'e  positi\('  aild  repeated  refusals  to 
engraft  on  the  I'nndinu"  Hill  any  pro\  ision  thai 
would  discharge  the  State  of  X'ii^inia  from  |iay- 
ineiit  of  the  unfun(Ie(|  thifd.  Ilow  any  oiii',  with 
all  the  facts  l)ef(U'e  lliin.  can  lielie\e  the  fund- 
inii:  l>ill  I'cdnced  the  ]»nMic  delil.  of  that  hy  its 
acceptance  the  hondhohlef  rel  in(|U  ished  any 
claim  for  any  pari  of  his  hoiid,  is  wholly  incom- 
jirehelisihle.  Ilei'e  were  three  clear  and  detiniie 
jU'djiosit  ions  made  with  a  \  iew  of  setiliim'  this 
\  ery  (piest  ion  : 

"  I'irsi.  'I'liat  \'iri:"inia  should  imi  he  respdii- 
sihle    in    any    manner   or    form,    or  at    any    time, 

for     the     cerliticales     of     indehtednevs     issued      for 

the  unfunded  third,  ^'et  this  was  mu  to  jtreiu- 
dice  the  riLi'hl  of  the  holder  to  reco\cr  it  from 
\\  I  si    X'ir^iina. 

'•  Secondly.  That  N'iruinia  slntulil  he  released 
'from  all  liahiliiy.  if  any  exist."  to  jtay  these 
cerliticales  until  she  should  lia\f  a  final  settle- 
meui    with   \\'esi    X'iruinia. 

"•  'I'll  irdly.     That    i  hese  ceri  ili  cat  I's  should  "not 

he   CMiistrued    to   lie   ceft  i  lie;|  |  es   of  delit."       That    is, 

aLiaiusi     1  iri/iiii'/. 

••  ilach  ;iud  all  of  these  lU'opo^il  juus  Wefe  I'e- 
ji'cteil      hy      the      I'under^,       Their      rejecliMn      \\a< 

pi'oiif,  p()siti\e.  thai  ii  was  iheir  pui'pov,'  not 
|o  do  the  \ciy  lliinu  that  it  i^  n<i\\  claimed  they 
did  do.  Vet  there  a  I'e  mi'ii  who,  either  from  \'j; 
noraiu-e  or  desiuii.    persivi    in   declarinu":      'The 


70       Aiii(>bi()(/)'(ij)]iif    of    John    K.    .Mdsscy 

adjust  iiiciii  was  (Icciiicd  a  ])i'a('1  ical  set  tlcmcni  of 
tlic  (nicstion  so  far  as  \'ii'uiiiia  is  coiiccriuMl,  and 
nobody  l)('Iic\('s  for  a  inoiiicnl  that  the  creditors 
will  cNcr  att('iii])t  to  hold  \'ii\uinia  i-('s])onsi])l(' 
for  it,  fui-thcr  tlian  \\'('st  \'iii;inia  may  aui'cc 
to  pay.  Nobody  I'ciiards  it  as  a  j)art  of  our  dc  bt, 
oi*  ('.\])('cts  it  to  ii'ivc  any  fui-thcr  trouldc' — ■ 
( 'lidflol  h  sri/lc  ('Ino/iiclc  of  June  I'otli,  IST"). 
The  facts  already  stated  sufliciently  show  llie 
fallacy  and  absurdity  of  such  deidai-at  ions ;  yet 
I  will  ,ui\'e  one  incident  more,  w  liich  con(dusi\(dy 
refutes    them. 

"lion.  .].  11.  Dooley,  one  of  the  inend)ers  of 
the  last  House  of  Deleuates,  from  the  city  of 
Richmond,  is  a  N'iru'itna  bondholder,  and  was 
secretar.x'  »»f  the  'meeting'  of  the  N'iruinia  liond- 
hojders,*  which  was  Indd  in  the  Setiate  ( 'lunuber 
on  the  lOth  of  \ovend)er,  1S7I.  It  is  fair, 
ihei'efore,  to  ])i*esume  that  lie  is  well  infoi'iiu'd  as 
to  the  exjx'ctat  ions  aixl  purjioses  of  A'ir.iiinia 
bondholders.  Durinir  the  last  session  of  the  lei;'- 
islature  he  offered  a  liill.  which  was  i-efei-red  to 
the  i'inance  ('ommiltee.  and  rejxu-ted  fa\(U'ably 
from  it.  aut  hori/.iuLi'  and  instructin^■  the  commis- 
sioners of  the  siid<inii'  fund  *  to  sell  the  State's 
interest  in  the  Kichmoml,  i''redericksburi:',  and 
i'otomac  l!ailroad  ('(un|»any,"  and  to  receive  in 
IiayiiHUit  fiU'  it  "the  principal  of  the  nnfumled 
bonds  of   the   State    issued    pl'iol-   to    1S71." 

"  No  proN'ision  was  made  f(U-  leaxinii.'  one- 
thii'd  of  the  (»ld  bonds  for  West  \' ii'L:i n ia.  I'liat 
was    had  elKMlu'li.    bill    not    IJie    irnrst. 

"The  bill  u'oes  on:  '  I'.iit  the  purchaser  ov 
imrcliascrs  may,  at  his  oi'  ihcir  optidii.  pay  for 
the  said  stock  in  new  fundcil  lionds  of  ihe  eipii\a- 
Icnt  of  the  aforementioned  unfunded  Ixmds;  that 


••  n<  his   ami    I'l 


is  !(•  sa\,  iwdiliinls  ill  ilir  fiimliil  horuls  uihI 
diir  I  liii'ij    ill    Wcsi    \iruiniii    citi  ilic.-iics/ 

••  Wli.ll  liiMli'i-  cNidiMlcf  (Mil  111-  i:i\('ii  (»f  the 
|ilM-p<i^i'  ;inil  ex  [Mcl.i  I  ii'iis  uf  the  ;i(  j  \(i(;i  Ics  of 
llic   I'mnliiii:   llili?     W'liilf   X'ii'Liiiiiii    i^  iiiialilc  lo 

I»av     IdllP     |ii'i'    crlll.     ll|iMii     llic     I\\(illiil-(ls     of    Mil* 

<|i'iM  fill'  which  she  hasui\tii  ikw  ImukIs.  a  jin>ii(i- 
siiiwii  is  iiiailf  liv  a  h'adiiiu'  In im Hh iMci-.  ami  fn- 
(lurM-d  l)V  I  he  I'ilia  Ilci'  (  'iiiiiliiil  Ire  (if  I  he  N'ii'uMiiia 
h-Liivhii  uif.  Id  iia\  ('IT  ihfvr  •  \\  Csi  \ifuinia  cci-- 
I  iticaiis  ■  Id  I  hr  ex  I  fill  df  (Hic-t  hird  nf  N'ir^'i  Ilia's 
iiiifi'c^i  in  ihi'  liich iiidihl.  I 'rcdcrickslniri:'.  and 
I'dhiaiac  Kaili'dad.  'I'his  was  Inn  an  riiicriiiL!: 
wcduv.  I  lad  il  [ii-dvcil  successful,  il  wniild  sdoii 
ha\c  lifi-ii  I'dHdwcd  hy  dihcps  ( d'  similar  character. 
I  cdiilidciil  ly  liclic\c  ihai  if  lln-  Iidiidhdldcrs  cxcr 
aiiain  ud  cdiiii-id  of  ilic  N'iruinia  IcLi'islal  ni'c 
f\ci-y  ddjiar  at'  llic  ddil  id'  llic  n\i\  Stale,  with 
all  its  accumiilaled  ami  ciuiiiidiiiided  inlcrcst, 
will  III'  cdii\i'rie(|  inid  new  l»(uid<.  with  lax-rc- 
cei\;ddi-  cdii|idiis.  Tlieii.  Vdiii-  leL^i>lal  iiri',  no 
matter  what  may  he  its  character,  will  he  coin- 
lie  I  led    td    increase    laxatidn    sullicieinly    id    jiay 

full    interevl    Updtl    I  he   W  hole  del  It    iif  I  he  did    Stale. 

and  Id  defray  e\|ieiives  (if  Li'dN  eriiuieiit  and  [uili- 
lic  >clidMl>.  This  will  aiiiduni  in  \iriual  fn]\- 
tiscal  idii. 

••The     ilie\dra!i|e     Iduic     (if     fads     ellfdrces     ihe 

cdiiel  u^idii  I  ha  I .  w  ha  ie\ cr  may  ha\ c  I n  i  he  case 

liefiire  the  [la-^^aiie  (if  ihe  I'limliim  i'.ill.  \'iru-iiiia. 
liv  iiv  [i;i>-aL;e.  was  made  re^i  m  uisi  li|e  \\tv  ihe 
w  hdle  (jelii  iif  ihe  ii|d  Siaie.  willi  all  its  ac(ai- 
miilaied    and    cdui  pdu  tided    inieresi.       ilefure    we 

can      (|eci(h.      Il[idl|      ihe      Ileeev-,;!  ry        slc],^        fii]-        lli(> 

Iird[ier  M-tileiiieiit  df  a  delii  we  miivi  ascertain 
i I  s  a  III d u  n I . 


7S       A  iilfjhiof/nipJn/    of    John    E.    Masscij 

''  How  was  ilic  I'nndiiiij:  I>ill  ]);iss('(l?  And  liow 
was  it  received  by  llic  ])(M»]d('?  I  will  answer 
this  by  an  exti-act  fi-om  ( lox-ernor  Kemper's  ad- 
dress hefoj'e  the  'bondholders'  meet  ini;.'  (lover- 
nor  Kem])er  said  :  '  There  are  those  who  have 
always  (h'nied  the  obliuation  of  the  I'unding 
Act.  They  alle,u-e  that  that  Act  was  not  only  a 
snr])ris«^  to  the  ])eoi)le  and  passed  in  contraven- 
tion of  their  will,  not  oidy  that  it  tied  np  the 
hands  of  the  State  \\ithont  the  fail-  consent  of 
the  State,  bnt  that  the  circnmstances  attendini; 
its  passaije  were  snch  as  oni^ht  to  avoid  it.  They 
alleu'e,  not  only  that  many  hohlers  of  Virginia 
bonds,  inchnlinii'  nnmbeis  of  onr  own  citizens, 
have  1)een  comjx'lled  to  jiai't  with  them  at  a 
rninons  de])i'eciat  ion,  not  only  that  the  bonds 
thns  sold  are  doubtless  held  by  six'cnlators,  who 
obtained  them  at  half  or  less  than  half  their 
valne,  bnt  they  alleu'e  that  the  bonds  were  thns 
lionti^ht  u])  by  stock  bi-okeis,  having'  ])ecnliar  fa- 
cilities to  ,iz"nide  them,  as  a  speculation  of  which 
the  Funding'  IJill  was  the  crowiiiiiij:  act.  They 
allege  that  coi-i'U])t  means  wei'c  directed  by  every 
ap]ii'oachable  axcnue  to  eiTect  the  jiassai^c  of  the 
bill,  and  did  elTect  its  passage;  that  a  slioi-t  time 
Ix'foi'C  its  passaii'e,  and  on  \dles  testinjj;  its  mei'its 
in  the  House  of  I)elei:aies.  the  jtolitical  party  (»f 
the  minoi-ity  \-ole(b  with  one  exception,  aii'ainst 
it,  and  that,  an  adjouT-niiient  beiiiL:'  had,  and  the 
bill  cominu.'  u]i  soon  thereafter  on  its  ])assa,i::e, 
the  same  ]iaiMy,  with  jiei-haps  one  except  ion.  voied 
for   it.   and    by    tlii-ir   \dtes  elt'ected    its   jiassaire.' 

"  ^\'llat.    llien.    is    ilie    jiresent    amount    of    the 

jiublic     debl  '! 

"  As  ali-eadv  stated,  it  was  on  January  1,  ISdl, 


I)(  Ills  mid    in  i>  s 


7!) 


$;51JS7,!lll!>.:?L*.  Oil  .lulv  1.  1S71,  it  li.l.l  illcIVMsr.l, 
liy  till'  (•(iii\'crsiiin  nf  iini'ic^t  iiiin  |ii'iiii-i|(;i!.  in 
Sir,. Ill  l.L'dS.L':,.  'I'lic  I'liinliim-  I'.ill  .iillliMi-izril  ilic 
issuing-  of  new  1m  mils  \'nv  i  w  nt  h  inls  n\'  ijiis  siiiii, 
;iiHi  ct'i't  iliciiics  of  iiidcliit'diicss  I'di-  ilic  r<Mii;iin- 
ili;,'  (ttic-I  iiird.  I'.ill  ;is  Ixilli  nf  llicsr  jii-c  •  *  r;- 
<l(iii-(s(,l<JiUl,'\\\\[\  Itdili  lii'.ir  iiiii-ri'si,  ihry  will 
111-  (■oiisidi'i'i'ij    jiiinih    ;is  rnllsl  il  III  iliu'  I  In'  '  lilihjic 

(l.-l.r; 

••  liili'iTsi  (.11  sIC.Kl  l.iMlS.iT.  fi-Miii  .Inly  1.  1"^7I, 
ti'  -Inly  1.  1  N7r»,  ;ii  six  per  cfiii.  jht  ;iiiiiii!ii.  is 
si  l.LT.ll.  Hi'.i.Iis.  AIm.iiI  s|.:,()(I.U(IO  of  this  sum  li;is 
liffll  p;li(K  lr;l\ili;:-  illnml  S(;.7r)lt.  I  (I'.I.'.IS  of  nil- 
|i;ii(|  iiiirrcsi  ilint  lins  m-rnird  in  fdiir  ycnrs, 
makiiiu'  ilir  di-lu.  priiiciiKi  I  ;iiid   iiiii'irvi.  im  -Inly 

I,  i>7.~).  s:,:;,(;7;'..(;is.l:;;.     iMirinu-  ihc  fimi-  m-.m-s 

;|Imi\('     Ll'ivi'Il     llic     riiliimissioiicl'S     id'     ihr     sildvillU' 

fiiiid    imiclmsi'd    ImiiiiIs    Io    ihr   .•imuiini    of   Sl'.il).- 

('..■'.It.71.     wllirli     rcdllml     llic    |  il'i  llri  ]  i;i  I    <  d'    llli'    ijrltl 

liy    ill;  1 1    ;imiiiiiil. 

"  Not  klliiwillL;'  the  lirccisr  lime  w  lirll  lllf  \;iri- 
iiiis  [iiiridm^i's  wrri'  iiimjc.  I  ;im  iii>i  iirc]i;in'd  lo 
s;iy  wlini  llii'y  ri';i--rd  Id  lie  |i;irl  uf  iIp-  |mldii' 
di-ld,  ;ind  li;i\r.  I  lim-fi  iIt,  r;i  Im  I;i!  rd  illliTrvI  nil 
llii'  wlmli'  MiiiMiiiiI  1(1  -Inly  1,  1S7.'').  Tlii^  is  ;i 
imilici-  (d"  Imt  lilllc  mimiciii.  ;is  the  Imiids  held 
li.\  iIm-  (■(mimivvidiici-s  n\  ili,-  sinkim:  fund  siill 
lic.ir  iii!crc--i.  ilinimli  ilic\  ;irc  im  Imul^ci-  ''mi- 
sl;i  lid  Jul:'  iildiL;;il  ioli^.  ( ir  ;i  p;ill  i  d'  I  lie  di  ■!  il  |iri>|ici' 
id'  iIm-  S|;iIc."  If.  I  lidtd'on'.  \\c  dc-iri'  Id  klidW 
liiiw  iMiiili  i-(\miMf  Wdiild  Ii,i\c  Id  lie  r;i!^c(l  id 
p;iy   llic  ;i  I  III  mil    iiiiiTrxi    dn    ili,.  Si;iic  lidiKN  .-md 

rclM  ilicl  Ics     of      illdcl)Ic(|nc-s,      w,.      muvl      ;idd      llic 

residue  id'  llic  ^iiikiiiL:"  fund,  wliiili   i^  iilidin   s."..- 

r.lMI, (1(1(1.   Id  I  he  S  IC.'.tl  I.L'lls.i.':,.      'I'll,,   u  hdjc  ,d'  Ihis 


80       Autoh'Kxjraplnj    of    John    E.    Massey 

bcjii's  infcrcsl.  So  tliat  while  tlio  princi])al  of  llio 
'oii1s(aii(liii,ir  (Icltt  '  is  a  littlo  over  i?M;. 400,000, 
tile  anioinit  wliicli  is  Ix'ai'iiiu"  iiiloT'cst  is  ;i^^)l2, 41 4,- 
I'OS.lT).  Tlio  aiunial  interest  on  tliis  sum  at  six 
per  cent,  is  .S.'),144.sr)L*.4!).  Aefoi'din*;-  to  tlie  es- 
timate of  tlie  Auditor  of  l*ul>lie  .Vccounts,  tlu' 
sum  of  .*^1.1*S7, 747.00  is  necessary  to  meet  tlie 
annual  cui'i-ent  ex])enses  of  the  State.  This  added 
to  the  amount  needed  to  ]ia_v  full  int(M'est  on  the 
])ul)lic  debt  and  the  siidvini:;  fund,  makes  .*;l,4.'M,- 
oOD.OO,  that  must  he  i-aised  annually  for  State 
])Ui'|)oses  alone.  The  whole  amount  of  State 
taxes  now  collect(Ml  is  .Sl.M21,04r>.41.  So  that, 
count  in.u"  foi*  tlu^  cost  of  collect  inu",  we  must 
double  the  ])i'esent  rates  of  taxation,  oi*  th(^  debt 
will  continue  to  inci-ease  bv  the  accumulation 
of    interest. 

'' AVhat  ai'e  Viru'inia's  resources  foi'  nioetiniji: 
this  oblimat  ioTi? 

"In  1S«;1,  when  the  debt  was  .Sai,1S7,0nr).r?2, 
the  taxable  ])]'operty  of  ^'il',i2:inia  was  assess(Ml  at 
.«r»sr), 001). aL*2. 77.  TJiis  did  m)t  include  any  slaves 
under  tweh'e  yeai's  old.  TIu^  Constitution  ex- 
em))ted  all  slaves  under  that  au'e  fi-om  taxation, 
and  fixed  the  taxable  valm'  of  all  ovei-  that  aire 
at  J5.'^>00  each.  This  was  not  moi-e  than  on(^  half 
of  theii'  a\'ei-a;^"e  cash  value.  As  every  kind  of 
jii'operty  is  now  taxed,  we  cannot  umb'rstand  th(» 
resources  of  \'ii'i::inia  in  IStlO,  as  compared  ^\■ith 
what  they  are  now,  unless  ^^■e  take  into  considei'- 
alion   sla\'es  as   well   as  other  pi'operty. 

•'The  olVicial  T'ec(»rd  shows  that  llie  \-alue  of 
the  sla\'es  ill  \'ii-Li."iiiia  utider  twelve  yeai-s  old  was 
si  (;:•>.."),"(;, 000.  T]\c  value  of  those  over-  lliat  auc 
was.  doublless,  ureatei'  than  the  value  of  those 
under  it.     r.ut  est  imat  inij;  it   to  be  just  the  same, 


''  I)(htx  (in<l  'in.i-cs 


SI 


we  liiid  the  valiir  of  shucs  aluiic  was  S-J-T.llL*,- 
(MH).  AImhii  <nif-l  went  v-lifili  of  this  was  in  West 
\'ir;j:inia,  Icaviii;^  the  \alut'  of  slaxcs  in  that  jiart 
of  ilic  old  State  which  is  now  iiiclu(hMl  in  \'ir- 
^Miiia  s;>l  1.01*7, r»L'(  I.  Othci-  jicfsoiia!  lu-ojici-ty 
within  tiic  same  pai't  of  the  Stale  was  assessed 
at  SHU. »;;;);, 7i>l.()!i,  and  the  real  estate  at  S'J'.U,- 
l.'M.  170.r>(;      niakinu'  a  total  of  \alnes  in   iStiO  of 

s7(i:t.N07.7i  i.t;."). 

"The  Anditof's  rej»oii  shows  tliat  the  elltil-e 
in-opeft  \-,  in  1S7:5,  was  assessed  at  s;*,.",t;,»;s»;.- 
};;:{. L':5.  "  That  is.  S1S.L'17.  ll'L'.."!*,  less  than  lialf 
as  iiincli  as  was  owned  in  the  same  cdnnties  in 
!  still. 

"Thus  when,  in  ISC.d.  the  \aliie  of  jifopcft y 
was  S7(I!I.S<)7.711.<;,'.  the  jMiIiiie  deht  was  sMl,- 
ls7. !)!••). ;5l'.  That  is,  tliefe  was  niofe  than  Sl'l» 
Wol-tll    of    J»fo])('!'ty     fof    each    dollai"    of    (h'ht. 

"  in    \s~:\  the  assessed   \aliie  of  |ifi»iiefty   was 

s;;:;i;.(isi, i;',;;.:::;,  and  the  ddit.  excliisiNc  of  nn- 

setiled  iniefest.  was  S  Hi,!*  n.L'OS.iT).  Tlial  is. 
ahoiit  seM'ii  dollafs  wnfth  of  pfoix-rly  for  raeh 
ihdlai-  of  deht. 

"  It  shonld  he  horiie  in  iiiiiid  that  many  thimrs 
ai-e  taxed  now  that  were  not  taxed  in  ImKI.  and 
that  |H'opi'i'ty  is  taxed  mneii  hiiiiief  in  pfopor- 
t  ion  to  its  \aliie  now    than  it    was  iln-n.     So  that 

the    dilfercliee    lielWCen     the     Teal     \alue     of     Jifop- 

eiMy  in  Isfid  ami  in  ls7;'.  was  still  m-iMicr  than 
these   liLTni-i's  show    it    to  lia\('  Ihtii. 

"if  tin-  I'nndinu'  Hill  had  feleascd  \'iit:inia 
ffoiii   that    |ioriion   of   the  deht    fof   which   ciTiiti- 

cates   of    imiehlcdness    were    issued    and    fldlil    one- 

thifd  of  the  uid")inded  deht.  as  some  claim  it   did, 

tlie     dehl       Wduhl.      of     (dUfsc.      he     ollethii'd      less 

than  I  lia\f  shown  it  to  he.     The  Auditor's  n-port 


82       Aii((>hio(/raitJii/    of    J  dim    K.    Masscy 

is  ](;isc(l  u|(iiii  that  assuiii])t  ion.  And  in  a  s])(MM'1i 
made  in  ilic  Ir^islat  nrc  last  session,  njion  a  snh- 
jfci  wliicli  (lid  nol  ncccssitait'  in(inii-_v  into  the 
amount  of  the  debt,  I  used  his  tiiiiircs,  and  sjioke 
of  the  tlcltf  as  Itcini;',  in  i-onnd  nninlx'fs,  altont 
s:!<l.<M)()JHH).  Kvoi-y  intcdli.ucnt  ivadcr  will  rcad- 
ilv  iindci-siand  this.  We  now  sjx-ak  of  the  dciit 
as  it  is;  not  as  it  is  ia'])oi't('d  upon  an  nnwar- 
rantaldc  assninptioii. 

"()nicial  documents  of  the  h'edefal  (io\('rn- 
nient  show  that  ju-oiieiiy  in  N'ii'iiiina  is  assessed 
ahout  tifiy  ]M'i'  cent,  hiuhei-.  in  ])foj)ort ion  to  its 
value,  than  it  is  in  New  ^'oi-k,  Pennsylvania,  and 
the  six  New  l']n,uiand  Stales,  and  thifl_\-li\{'  ])er 
cent,  hiuhei'  than  it  is  in  all  the  othei*  States  of 
the   rnion. 

'•  The  (lest  ftict  ion  of  mofe  than  half  oni'  ]>i'o])- 
efty  is  not  the  oidy  loss  we  haxc  sustaiiu'd. 
'JMiat  which  icmains  is  fat-  less  valuahle  than  it 
was.  Thousniids  of  acics  of  lan<l  which  ha\(' 
been  ot'fefed  for  sale.  Ulldel'  judicial  decfees,  fe- 
main  Ulisohj  i»ecause  they  will  not  hfillU  thfee- 
foUI'ths  of  theif  assessed  \alue.  thoimli  they  ai'c 
o!fef»M|  U|Min  a  cfeilit  of  one.  two,  and  thfee 
yeafs,  wliih-  iheif  assessment  is  (lesii:ne(l  to  lix 
their   cash    \alue. 

■•  It  may  lie  safdy  alVifmeil  thai  the  jieople  of 
X'iiu'iiia  are  less  ahle  to  ]iay  one  doljni'  now 
tli;ili    they    WCfe    to    ]i;iy   lliree    in    IsCO. 

••<'aii  X'ifu'inia  pay  the  wlioje  of  the  dehl  of 
]m;1.  with  its  ;iccumula tcfl  ami  compounded  in- 
1  (  rc^i '.'  or  e\  (Ml    1  \\  (ci  jiirds  of  it  ? 

••  In  ihc  appendix  to  the  last  annual  messaLi'e 
of  <!o\crnoi-  Kcmpc]-  we  !ia\('  this  extract  from 
ol'ijcia  I    (hicumeiil  s  : 


"  l}i  Ills  iuitl   'I'll  I'  s  "  M! 

{Slate  rcNcniU's  (lcri\t'il  frdiii  lax- 

aii..ii    si^Ji:i.:>  1:^.11 

Aiiitiiini      of      rt'iMirifd      coiiniv, 

(tiu  nslii|i,       mad       and       local 

schoul     levies     LM!  1  7, :).•'.>.  ll» 

AlllUllIlt      ot"      UIirr|H)Iled      ((lUIIly, 

low  iislii|>,  Iliad  and  local 
sclioid  le\ies,  as  esliliialed  hy 
the  Atiditof  of  riililie  Accounts  L'SiMCl.")! 

(  "ost      of     collection,      fetained      ItV 

tax    collectofs,   etc 1  71',.".  1  N.l)',> 

Total  of  taxes  jiaid,  tindei-  State 

laws,   foi-  (»ne  yeai* ."(,(111 1,!'*;;',.,")!) 

I  )iiiinu''  t  lie  same  year  i  lie    I ".   S. 

( !o\  i-rnim-nt    collected    in    \'ii-- 

u'inia    in   i  he  shape  of  internal 

i'e\enne   taxes    7, ."lis, 01,").. ■">»■» 

And  assnnnniT,  what    is  fai-  shoiM 

of    the    iniih.    that     the    money 

difectly   and    indii'ecily    di'awn 

from    the    ]M(ip|c    of    Ndi'L^inia 

hy    I '.    S.    la  lilT   la  xai  ion.    is    in 

the     |iI-opoi|  ion    of    the    |io|>llla- 

tion  id"  the  Stale  lo  thai  of 
I  he  whole  count  y\\  i  I  is  s|i(  iw  n 
that  N'ii'uinia  pays,  hy  j-cason 
of  I  In-  nai  ional  customs  la  w  <, 
till-   fui-thri-  sum    of    r..lt7i".,  KM. :•.■■) 

Total    in   one   yrai-    si  <.;;vs.(;s]  n] 

"  'i'his  is  ahoui  ti\e  and  a  half  per  ceni.  n|i(Ui 
the  eiitin-  amount  of  laxaldc  piopiTty  of  e\ery 
(h'sci'ipt  ion  in  the  Siaic.     ■  And  yet,"  says  (lo\ei'- 


S4        A  iil>jhi()(//(ij)lti/    of    .1  (ih n    11.    Masscj/ 

iKir  Kciiipci'.  'these  hiiillicns  jirc  ;iiniu;illy  in- 
crt'iisiim.  ami  the  iiicdiniilclc  i-cliiriis  jihcixly  i-c- 
(•(■i\('(l  ;iI-('  cnoimli  lo  render  it  eei-tJlili  tluil  tlie 
tdtal  of  taxes  jtaid  hy  X'iruinia  in  tlie  liscal  yeai* 
just  ended  will  tiiiMi  (tilt  lo  tie  lafu'ei-  than  f(»f 
the    ]tfeeedini;   year.* 

'•  i.el  it  he  iMiiaie  ill  nnnd  that  only  one-thii'(] 
of  the  lands  of  \'ii-L!,"iii ia  ate  pfodncl  i\(\  and 
ha\'e  to  heai'  not  oidy  tlieii'  own  taxes,  hut  the 
taxes  also  of  the  othei-  t  w  o-t  hiids,  whi(di  are 
mainly  nn])rodtict  ivc.  ^'et  the  taxes  now  paid, 
eithei'  directly  or  indifeet  1,\'  nndei-  State  and 
l-'edei'al  laws,  anioind  to  neaidy  six  ]M'r  ceid. 
iij)on  the  whole  jiropefly,  lyoih  ])fodnel  ive  and 
nn]»i-odnct  ive. 

"("an  the  people  of  A'ii'uiiiia  heai-  ;in  iiici-ease 
of  taxation?  1  do  not  ]<n(»w  that  I  can  hettei* 
answer  this  (piestion  than  l)y  (iiiotinu  a  jtai-a- 
i;i'a])li  fi-om  (io\('rnoi-  Kempei-"s  addfess  hefofe 
the  hoiidholders"  meetinij;  liehl  ill  the  city  of 
Iiicliiiiond  on  the  KMli  of  Xo\('nd»ef.  ISTI.  if 
is  as  follow  s  : 

"'  Let  it  he  fememl)ere(l.  also.  Iliat  out'  jieople 
ai'e  hoi'iie  down  with  an  enofiiioiis  pi-i\ate  in- 
dehledness.  exeee(|  iii;^:'.  it  is  estimated,  the 
amount  of  (Uii'  lafu'e  Stale  iudehledness.  all  of 
which  is  bein^  ju-esseij  for  payment  and  much 
of  which  is  due  ht'y(Uid  I  lie  ( 'oi  M  moll  w  t -a  1 1  li.  and 
it  w'll  he  seen  that  all  oiif  icsoufces  and  eiier- 
iries  ai'e  ])einL'  sti-aim-d  to  ihc  uiiiiost  point  of 
endufanci'.  If  ilicsc  facts  a  fe  hoiaie  in  mind,  it 
will  he  undei-siood  why  it  is  that  well-aul  lieiil  i- 
cated  I'cpoiMs  ai-e  not  uid'feipieiii  ly  made  of 
fai-ms  whose  annual  ]u-iHluel  i(Ui  falls  sluui  of 
the  amount,  of  tlu'if  annual  laxi'S.  of  iiidis|(ru- 
sahle    fai'iii   animals   and    implements,   and    lands 


Drhts   (I ml    T(li<  s 


s.> 


;ilso  ht'injj;  sold  U>v  taxes  mid  all  ihnumli  im 
want  of  iudusirv  (U*  »'C(»ii(>mv  on  ihr  jiaiM  of  iIh' 
faniifr.  'riicsc  fads,  lioi'iic  in  mind,  will  iradi 
oihcrs  \\lial  the  louic  of  cxiirrifnccd  sulfi'i-inL:; 
has  iau,i:;lit  us,  that  anv  niaiciial  iini-rasc  of  tax- 
ation on  lands  at  this  tiinc  would  ht-  \iiiiKil 
coidiscat  ion  of  lands." 

"  Auaiii,  ill  ;i  nicssauc  addi'cssod  to  the  l.c^is- 
latufo  on  the  I'Tth  of  .Match,  I>7t,  thf  (lovfi-nor 
says:  * 'I'hc  projtosit  ion  is  too  oh\iously  tiiic  to 
he  arirticil  that  taxes  mi  lands  cannot  now  h,' 
ilU'feased.  Such  iiu'fease  would  l»e  \ifiual  con- 
liscation  of  pfiNate  jH'ojteiiv.  if  the  State  wcfe 
suhjected  to  stlcll  pressui-e  as  wouhl  enl'ofce  iin- 
niediate  coinjdiaiice  with  all  hef  un<leftakin.us 
it  W(MiId  result  in  juihlic  baidciiiittcy,  and  w(Uild 
]ii-o\('  alike  disasti'oiis   |o  dehtiU'  and  cfedii(U'.' 

'•  I  tliiid<  it  may  he  safely  anifined  that,  so 
faf  fi-om  the  i)eo|de  (d"  N'ifu'iuia  heiiiu-  aide  to 
Ileal-  an  incfease  of  taxation,  they  ate  now  taxed 
hiuiiei'  than  they  oti^ht  to  he,  of  than  they  ai-e 
aide  to  lieai'.  'I'he  auficnlt  ufal.  the  manufac- 
tuiiim'.  the  mei'cantile,  the  iiiechaincal,  and  the 
ju-ofrssional  intefests,  each  ami  all,  afe  sulVef- 
iiiij;  and  lanuMiishiuLi,-  undef  the  almost  insup- 
j)(U'tal)|e    hui'delis    they    ai'e    heai'in^. 

"■  ^'et    with   the  liea\y   taxes   we  afe  jiayitiLT.  so 

eiKUMlloUsly      dis|U-(tpoI|  ioUed       to      oUf      fe>oUfceS, 

the  puhlic  dehi  is  consiaully  incfeasimr.  'The 
iiicfea^ed  fate  of  taxation  has  fallen  sIkmM  of 
enaldin^"  the  l;(>\  ei-nment  to  pay  full  iniei'cvi  on 
two-lhifds  of  the  (U-iuinal  dehl.  by  an  a\i'i'au:<' 
annual  deticicncy  of  sl  ,(M;i.\r)7^. (•.">.*  |  Sec  'Aje 
pelidix    to   <lo\efnof"s    Message."    p.    -o.  ! 

"Ileiice  the  dcht  has  hci-n  incfcasin^'  at  the 
annual    fate    of    S|  .(lt;i'.r>7s.or)    h\     the   accumula- 


8G       Autohiograplnj    of    John    E.    Massey 

tion  of  nn])ai(l  iiilorcst  on  only  two-lliirds  of 
the  (1('1>I.  A'ii'iiiiiia  is  bound,  liy  llic  I'lindini; 
IJill.  for  llic  I'ciiiaiiiin;^'  lliii-d,  or  so  niucli  there- 
of as  West  A'iriiinia  fails  to  ])ay.  \Vest  Vir- 
liiuia  i-('fiis('s  lo  jtay  (/////  ]»art  of  it.  Ilciicc,  ac- 
(•oi-(]iiiii-  to  the  theory  of  Mhe  hist  dolhir  men/ 
N'iriiinia  innst  pay  the  whole.  The  annual  in- 
terest ni)on  this  third  is  si);^^,l.'S4.04.  Add  this 
to  the  81, ()(»L',r)7S. (),">,  which  (JoNcrnor  Kemper 
says  is  the  *  averau'e  animal  delieieney  '  upon 
the  interest  upon  the  other  two-thirds,  and  we 
have  an  avci'aii'e  annual  increase  of  the  debt  of 
SL>,(MIO„S(iL>.()i).  '  That  is  to  say,  the  heavy  taxes 
which  the  ])eo])le  of  ^'ir,^■inia  are  now  ])ayin_u; 
are  not  sullicieiit  to  ])ay  the  annual  interest  on 
the  (h'bt  liy  si>,(MIO,S(iL'. ()'<»,  and  the  debt  is,  there- 
f(U'e.  with  the  slight  exce])tion  _u,i\'en  below,  b(»- 
cominii'  that  iriucli  lari::er  every  year.  It  has 
been  inci-easini;  at  this  rate  for  more  than  four 
years,  excej)t  the  small  diminution  which  has 
been  made  by  the  juirchase  of  bonds  by  the  com- 
missioners of  the  siiduuij:  fund.  The  whole 
amount  of  these  jiurchases  for  four  years,  as  re- 
])orted  to  tlie  last  session  of  the  (leneral  Assem- 
bly, was  Slid). (;:!(). 74.  That  is,  wliilc  the  '  out- 
standiiiu'  oblii^at  ions  of  the  State'  liavc  bt'cn  r<'- 
dm-i'd  at  tlic  axciam'  annual  rate  of  oidy  sli*},- 
lMl7.t)S  by  thr  |)urchas('  of  Stale  Ixuids  {\)V  the 
use  of  the  '  siidvinu'  fund,"  the  dclit  has  been  in- 
(■[•(  as.'d,  <lni-inu'  llic  same  jicriod.  at  the  a\('ra,L!;(' 
annual  rate  id'  nearly  two  millions  of  dollars. 
Mow  liuiu'  will  it  rc(|uire  al  this  rale  to  pay  the 
dfbi?  Xd  one  can  fail  to  see  ihal  a  continu- 
amr  of  ihjs  stair  of  Miinus  niusi  result  in  dis- 
aster to  liotli  deliior  and  creditor,  ^\'llat  are  we 
to  do? 


"  D(  ht  s   (I  III/    Tui-i  s 


"  1 'iidi'iiialtlc    facts    slmw     ilial    mir    taxes    arc 
tint    sulliciciit    to    pav    ilic    acciiiiiiu    iiiici'cst    mi 

llic     wlmlc    <lcltt      1>\      llinl'c     ihail     luo     Illillinlis     (if 

(Idllais!  Tlicv  also  slmw  ili;ii  i|ic\  ai'c  H'll  siif- 
ticiciii  Id  j»av  llic  aiiiiiially  aciiniiiL:'  iiitci'csi  tm 
t  u  o-i  hirds  t>\'  the  ilelii,  wliieli  liavc  lu'eii  fiiinleil. 
Itv   iiKice  iliaii  a   million   of  ilnllars!      The    I'liinl- 

illl^  r.ill  |ile(li;es  ihe  v^lale  (n  pav  full  iuleresl 
tlp(Ml        these       t\\nihii-<is       seMI  i -a  11  lllia  1 1  \ .  Its 

frielKJs    (leelaie    its    oi  il  iua  I  i<  Mis    \n    he    "sael^Ml"  — 

thai  e\t'i'v  iiifraeiioii  of  it  whiiikIs  the  saeretl 
hoiioi'  of  \'iiuiiiia.  Tliev  sav  to  ihe  hoiidhohler. 
siilisiant  iall  V  :  '  N'oii  shall  lia\e  e\i'iv  dollai'  of 
voiir  liond  aeeordiii^-  to  the  I'midiiiL:'  I'.ill  eoii- 
traet.'  Thev  know  this  jdedire  eailliol  he  re- 
deeiiHMl  wiihoii!  i  1 1  ei'ea  >  i  1 1  Li'  taxes!  \'ei  llle\  sa  V 
to    taxpavei's:      •  No    man    miisi    he    seiii     lo    ihe 

l.e^islat  lire    who    (hies    mil     pledue    himself    hefol'e- 

hand  thai  he  will  iiol  increase  the  laxi^;"  This  is 
the  consistency  of  those  who  |iraie  of  N'iruinia 
honor,  as  ihoiiuh  ihey  siip|Misei|  only  iliemsel\cs 
to  he  iis  iiossessors!  This  is  praciical  repu- 
dialioii  of  wlial  iliey  detlarc  lo  he  a  solemn 
ohiiuaiioii.  Ii  is  re]  Hid  ia  I  ion  in  iis  wiir--i  loim  1 
Noi  open,  frank,  and  manly;  Inn  co\iai.  decep- 
tive, and  cowardly!  it  is  carr\inu  one  face  in 
the  crei|ii(ir  and  aiioiher  lo  ihe  dehior!  I  fore- 
warn you.  fellow -cil  i/eii^.  thai  iln-rc  is  a 
'masked  haiicry"  liehind  ihe^e  prcN-mi's ; 
'Idie^e  men  kiiow  iliat  unle-s  iliey  can  maki'  \ou 
hclifxe  ihey  are  opposeil  Id  imrea^iuL:  laxc--. 
you    will    ne\cr   jnii    ihem    where   ilie\    can   do    ii! 

(Mici-     ui\e     llieni      the     poWel'     aiel      iheil-     MHle     will 

he  (ha  1 1  ucd.  and  \ou  will  |ia\  lor  ihe  miivie;  1 
w  i-^li  loseea  manl\  course  jiur^ued.  WCshoiihl 
la\    hefore  ihe  cre(|ii(irs  a  (dear  siai(  iiieiit   of  oiir 


88       Autohioc/raphy    of    John    E.    ^f(lss'('lJ 

\i('us  :is  to  what  we  oujilit  to  ]y,\y  and  wliat  wi» 
arc  ahlc  to  jia.v.  Make  an  ('(luitaUIc  scttlcinciit 
\\itli  llu'iii,  and  faithfully  conijily  with  its  tciMiis. 
IJtit,  it  is  asked:  'lias  there  not  been  a  Una! 
settlement?"  There  has  l)een  a  partial  settle- 
ment, but  not  a  final  one.  No  settlement  ran 
he  tinal  which  satisfies  noliody.  'i'liere  is  no  re- 
s])ectal>le  number  of  any  party,  or  of  all  ])arties 
combined,  who  are  satisfied  with  the  pri^sent 
status  of  the  debt.  This  is  shown  l)y  the  over- 
tui-es  that  liave  been  made,  the  meetini^s  that 
have  been  held,  and  the  u'eneral  anxiety  for  in- 
formation njton  th(^  subject — an  anxiety  which 
will  continue  to  manifest  itself  until  it  is  _u:rati- 
fi<'d. 

"  Is  A^irminia  morally  bound  for  tlic  wlnde 
debt  of  the  old  State?  or  for  two-tliirds  of  it, 
without  any  abatement,  even  u])on  the  assum]t- 
tion  that  the  debt  followed  the  soil?  Hefore  an- 
swei'ini:'  this  ((uestion  we  must  in(iuire  into  the 
cause  of  her  losses,  and  endeavor  to  ascertain 
who   is   res|)onsible   for   it. 

"  r.ut  litth'  need  be  said  of  the  cause  of  onr 
losses.  They  resulted  eitliei'  dii'ectly  or  iinli- 
reci  l\-  from  I  he  war. 

"  \\'Iio  ai-e  responsible  f(»i-  the  cause  which 
produced   these  results? 

"  I  do  niit  mean  for  those  rinidlc  causes — ■ 
l-'ederal  aixiri-essioiis,  Xoi'thern  interferences.  ^:c., 
which  led  to  it.  Uut  which  of  tlie  two  classes 
— bondholdei's  and  taxpayei's — is  I'esponsible  foi* 
the  act  of  secessiiin  which  made  X'iririnia  a  bat- 
tletield?  I  think  I  may  safely  answci'.  both  are 
responsible  foi-  it;  and  eadi  one  e(piall_\'  so.  if 
secession  were  fiudit.  bondholdei's  and  taxpayers 
share  (Mpially  the  honor  of  havint;  advocated  it. 


'■  /)'  his  (intl   Tn.fis 


SO 


If  it  wen-  wrmiir.  t';icli  was  r(|iially  hlaiiicwoiMliy. 
If  ui'  had  siiccfctlcd.  rath  "class  wmild  ha\(' 
shaicd  ill  the  iMMU'fits  of  sinccss  in  dtir  prttjiur- 
limi.  If  we  \ns[  I»y  ii,  cacli  should  Ix-ai'  liis  diH' 
|)r(»|t()ri  ion  (if  ihr  loss.  Tht-rc  may  ha\i'  hccii 
iiiili\  idiiai  <'.\cc|it  inns,  hiii  as  a  ui'in'i-al  I'uh' 
hdiidhdhh'rs  aic  as  fully  i-cspoiisihlc  U>v  our 
jiii'sciii  coiidiiidn  as  an,\  nthci-  class.  Wc  know 
lliai  sdiiif  who  ai'c  now  ihc  iiiosi  /calous  advo- 
cates of  lioiiijholdcrs,  and  who  insist  upon  pay- 
in::  iln'  'last  dollai','  no  matter  who  may  he 
Tuiiied  l»y  it,  wci'e  the  most  Idalant  secessionists 
--not  only  ready  to  '  wade  in  Idood,"  hut  to  '  die 
in  the  last  ditch';  and  were  i'es(d\('d  to  h'a\e 
\'iruinia  if  she  did  not  sece(|e.  If  these  last- 
<liich  niiMi  had  entered  the  tirsi  ditch,  instead 
(d'  Liettini:  others  in  and  then  s]M'cnlat  inir  upon 
their  necessities  and  the  necessities  of  their  fam- 
ilies, there  would  lie  fewer  '  last -dol la r  '  men 
now.  ^'et  I  sujiptise  Iiondholders  and  taxpayers 
Were  ('(pially  responsihle  for  the  losses  sus- 
tained, and  oiiLdil,  therefore,  to  hear  their  eipiai 
ju'oport  ions  of  them,  ("iti/eiis  of  a  State  sus- 
tain similar  relations  to  each  other  that  nieiu- 
hei's  (if  a  liusiness  tirm  do.  if  it  lie  not  jiosi- 
ti\cly  expressed,  there  is.  at  least,  a  tacit  under- 
standiim"  that  each  shall  hear  the  responsihil- 
ities  .and  expensed,  share  the  protils.  and  sus- 
tain the  losses  of  the  tirm  in  ju-oport  ion  to  his 
interot  in  it.  The  same  rule  ajiplies  to  ih.' 
State.  I'.acli  shares  his  due  pro|i(  ut  ion  of  its 
lieiietiis.  .and  should  In^ir  his  due  proportion  of 
its  lovves.  This  applies  (iidy  to  the  transactions 
of  the  corpoia  t  ion.  \o  niemher  of  it  is  rc's|ion- 
sitile  for.  nor  can  claim  any  henetit  arising:  fr(mi. 
a n \'  imiixidual   transactioti  of  an\'  other  mend»er 


00  A  Ntohiof/rapJn/    of    John    E.    Masf^ry 

of  it.  llciK'c,  wlint  iii.-iy  Ix'  said  ^\\\]\  T'ciriird  to 
tlic  ])iil>lic  (l('l)t,  lias  ncitlicr  T'cfci'ciicc  nor  n])])li- 
cat  ion  to  ])i'ivn(('  (l('l)ts. 

"As  citi/cns  of  tlio  State,  we  arc  joint  jiart- 
nci-s,  and  cacli,  in  ]»i*o])oi't ion  to  wliat  lie  lias, 
iiinst  contrilintc  to  its  sui^jiort.  iiiccl  its  oldiua- 
tions,  and  sliai-c  its  losses.  it  wdnld  not  be 
(Mpiitable  for  sonie  of  the  jiartnei-s  to  be  bene- 
tited  and  others  dainau'ed  b_v  tlieii'  joint  act. 
This  will  be  tlu^  inc\itablc  result  if  the  'last- 
dollar  iiieii  '  ]irc\ail.  It  iiiav  be  illustratc<l  thns: 
A,  r>,  <\  I),  and  \\  ai'c  citizens  of  \'iru-inia.  A 
owns  810,000  woi-th  of  State  bonds;  li,  (\  1), 
and  !•:  each  (»\vns  s.-,.(l(H)  worth  of  land  and  s.-i^OdO 
woi'th  of  negroes.  They  all  advocate  secession, 
and  ai-e  (M|iially  i-es])onsilde  foi*  the  I'csnlts. 
These  i-esnlts  are  conse(]nences  of  theii-  j(»int  act. 
The  result  is  that  1'.,  (\  I),  and  K  lose  all  their  ne- 
groes onli'iu'ht,  and  the  ^"alne  of  theii'  land  is 
i'e(lnce(l  to  (inedialf  of  what  it  \\as  bcfoi-e  the 
wai".  A's  si  0,(10(1  of  bonds  suffer  no  (le])i'ecia- 
ti(Ui,  bui.  by  the  re(luction  in  the  ]irice  of  lands, 
theii'  jiurchasiiiL::  jtowcr  is  doubled.  They  will 
now  buy  all  the  land  owned  by  1>,  (\  I),  and  !•], 
thouLili  they  would  nu\y  ha\"e  bouulit  half  of  it 
befoi-e  ilie  war.  Thus,  by  the  joint  act  of  all 
ti\'e — each  one  of  Iheill  beinii"  e(|Ually  I'csjion- 
sibh'  with  the  othei-s — four  liax'c  been  totally 
I'liined.  wliile  one  is  enabled  to  ]»nrchase  twice 
as  iimcji  |ii-M|MM'ly  wilh  his  Iwuids  as  he  could 
ha\'e  done  before  the  w  a  1'.  Is  this  just?  Is  it 
liuhl?     I  ha\e  11(1  ju-ejiidice  au'aiiist  liondJiolders. 

1  (h'plore  ilie  uiifori  uiiate  circumstances  which 
depri\e  iheiii  of  any  part  of  tiieir  bonds;  but 
tliey  niusi  I)ear  tlieir  jiart  (d"  the  conmion  iiiis- 
fortuiie.       I    do    not     wish    iheiti    to    fare    worse 


'■  /)'  Ills   (I  ltd    'I'll 


1)1 


llmil  tlli'il-  fellow  (il  i/cIIS.  'rili-y  nimlit  IlKl  ti) 
desire    to    f;ire    heller. 

"We    iii;i<|e    coiiniinii    cniix'.    ;iii<l     jointly    re- 

S(i|\e(l  Uliiill  secessimi.  We  elileled  the  ((ililesl 
toLTelliel',  Jllhl  liofe  (ilirse|\(S  llildliuh  il  Ilnldy. 
TiiLT"'!  her      we     sl;ike(|     iDH-     ;i||      n[Miii      the     result. 

That  result  pi-nved  disavi  i-dii^.  Neiihei'  (lass 
shtHlld  ehaiLLe  this  l-evnji  \\\)i\\\  ihe  iithel',  Ilitf 
seek  ti»  e\adi'  its  just  |  tli  t]  n  Ut  ii  HI  id'  res|  h  ilisihi  1- 
ity,  (If  loss,  hy  plaeiiii:  an  undue  pioiKiri  i(Mi  of 
eil  liel'    on    t  lie    ol  lief. 

'•()iif  nioiio  should  he:     /.''/'/'//  jiisiiri    h,  III!: 

sjiicnil    I  III  III  II  It'll  K  s   In    ii'iiK. 

'•What  would  he  the  |  ua  (I  iea  1  wiU'kiim's  of 
this  jii-inciple? 

"I'lfsl.  It  would  exclude  all  illlefesl  Upon 
the  plddie  dehi  dlllMIlLr  the  w  a  f .  il  is  Lleliefallr 
colieeiled     ilia!     Ilo     illtefest     ollizllt     to    he    chafLletl 

u|ion  |ifi\aie  dehts  diifinL;'  the  w  a  f .  N'arioiis 
feasons  lia\i'  heeil  assiuileil  foi'  this.  I  suppose 
the  main  feas(ui  to  he.  that  |u-i\aie  fiulits  wcfe 
iiiefi:e(|   in   the  finiiisaud  aiiihoriiy  >>(  the  Slate. 

.Men      did      Hot      helou^'     to      I  heniseh  (•<.         Neillief 

theif  time.  lah(U-.  mu-  piopefiy  was  at  theif  dis- 
posal. .\s.  ihefefol'e.  all  pfivaie  IMLilllS  aild  ill- 
lefesl S   i>\'   dehl  (U-s    W  el'e   sllspeudeil    fof    follf    \  ea  I's. 

it    has  heen   ihouuht    eipiiialde  ;ind    fiL:'hi    iliai    in- 

lefest       upon      indehledlless      ^hdllld      he      ^U^peudeil 

dufitii:'  the  s:ime  time.  I  can  ^ef  uo  vntlicieut 
feasou  why  this  I'ule  should  iimi  apply  to  [mh- 
lic  dehts  a<  Well  as  to  ]ua\ale.  If  ihis  \i,'W  of 
the  viihjeci  he  i-i'jhi.  ilie  laxpayei''-  (if  N'ifuinia 
ouuiit  not.  and,  in  jii^iice.  cannoi.  he  iiipiired  to 
pa  \"  any   iniefe^i    wliicli  a((a-iie(|   upnu   ilic   puldic 

dehl  dlllinU'  the  W  a  f .  while  no  inlefisl  is  id- 
lowed    llp(UI    pfisale    dehls    dufiuu"    the    saille    tillie. 


92       AiiiohiorjnipJiy    of    John    E.    MaHney 

'"  Sccoiidlv.  It  would  r('(]iiin'  tlic  scnliiii;  of 
Slate  Itoiids  in  jus!  the  same  ])ro|)ort ion  that 
otlicr  ])i'o|)('rtv  has  Ix'cn  rcdnccd.  Ijondholdci's 
and  taxi>ay('rs  would  then  fai-c  alike.  Kadi 
would  lose  in  ])r('('is('ly  the  same  ])i'oport  ion. 
This  may  he  cdrilcd  at,  but  cannot  ho  fo/^ 
IciniKil.  It  rests  upon  the  immntabh'  ]»rinci])les 
of  justice.  It  neither  asks,  nor  c<»ncedes,  more 
than  is  i-iuht.  A  settlement  l)ased  upon  tln^se 
])rinci])les  would  reflect  honor  upon  both  debtor 
and  ci'editor. 

"  A\'hat  I  liav(^  said  tlms  far  nj)on  this 
point  has  s])ecial  reference  to  A'irii'inia  bond- 
holdei's. 

''  Xeai-ly  onedialf  the  ])nblic  debt  is  owned  in 
those  States  which  com])osed  tlie  '  I'^'deral 
Fnion  '  durint:  tlie  war.  What  wonld  be  an 
equitable  settlement  ])etween  these  Itondholders 
and  A'ii'uinia   tax]>ayers? 

"  If  a  ci-editoi'  should  wantoidy  or  wr(Hi2:fully 
desti'oy  pi'opei'ty  belon;Li:in,u:  to  his  (h'])tor,  I  su])- 
])ose  no  one  would  deny  that  the  debtor  ou_u:ht 
to  i'ecei\-e  ci'edit  on  his  bond  to  tlie  amount  of 
dama.LCc  he  liad  wT-onu-fully  sustained  at  the 
hands  of  his  ci-editoi'.  What  will  be  the  etT(M-t 
of  the  a]»plicat  ion  of  this  ]iei-fectly  just  jirin- 
ciple  to  the  ])i'esent  case?  A  simple  statement 
of  facts  \\\\\  suui^est  the  answei'.  Our  \orth(M-n 
crediti>i's  were  not  content  with  ha\'inu:  de- 
stroyed the  old  State  and  (li\ided  hei*  teri'itory, 
but.  without  reason  oi-  jusiice.  look  froiu  us 
hii'ui'Iy  iiioi'e  than  one-half  of  oui'  entii-e  |»ro])- 
erly  wiihout  i;i\iuu'  us  any  c(Uii))ensal  ion  wliat- 
e\cr  for  il. 

*'Are  we  not,  thei-efore.  justly  entith-d  to 
lia\e  the  bciTids  tlie\'  hold  airainst   us  credite<l   in 


'■   />«  Ills    (1 11(1     'I' nil  \ 


;>:^ 


;it  It'iist  an  ciiual  itrojHiriinii  to  ilic  loss  \\(^ 
lia\('   sustained   at    their   hands'.' 

'•  I  ha\('  no  desire  to  awaken  oi-  r.-vixe  se<*- 
tionai  |»rejndiees  hv  anyihiuL'  I  ha\e  said  or 
may  say.  I  wish  to  iuii'y  these  in  the  sea  of 
foi-;:ei  fulness,  and  to  tailtivate  feelings  of 
frieudshij*  and  amity  hetwceu  men  id'  escry  jior- 
I  ion  of  our  eomiiKUi  eounti-y.  I  am  simply  stat- 
in:; facts,  whieli  must  he  taken  into  eouvidcra- 
tioii  if  we  e\-er  maki'  an  eijuitalde  settlement  of 
this    M'Xed    and    eomiilieated    (piestiou. 

"That  these  creditors  should,  in  \iew  of  the 
well  known  facts,  raise  the  ciy  nf  dislionor 
airainst  the  taxpayers  (d'  \'ii-u:inia  1  tec; i use  they 
are  Hot  willing',  umler  these  circumstances,  to 
iucfeiise  the  luirdens  they  are  now  unjustly  hear- 
ing: to  jiay  the  last  dollar  of  tlieii-  honds,  while 
refusiuLT  lo  L;i\-e  them  any  credit  fm"  the  iwop- 
erty  wrongfully  taken  fi-om  them,  is  ;i  mo-<t 
I'eiii.irkalde  case  (d'  iiKU'al  i»er\('i-sity  !  If  there 
lie  an.xihim::  more  i-emarkalde.  it  is  that 
any  man  who  c|;iims  to  he  a  N'ii'Liinian,  and 
lio;ists  and  pi-ales  of  \'iri:iina  honor,  should  join 
in    this    ci'y!       NdrL^nia ns    mu^l     not    only    h;i\e 

fallen    iinil     deLTenerated,    hut     lia\e    IiecolUe     iiuh' 

cra\en  if  they  cm  tamely  suluint  to  sudi  iLTno- 
minioiis  injustice  without  I'aisim^-  a  matdy  pi-o- 
test  a^iainst  it.  If  the  \ei'y  men  who  ;ii'e  raisin^; 
and  leitei'jit  im:  the  rv\  of  dish  on  oj-  ;ii;Minsi 
tho^e  who  defend  the  ]\\<\  v\'z]\\<  of  I;i\ii;iyers 
were  c;illed  on  to  MI'liilrate  just  ^Ucli  a  cM^e  1m'- 
tWi-ell      otili'r      parlii'S.      ;ind      Wel'e      ]ierfecl|\       fi-.-e 

from   inicrevi    oi-  pi'i' judice.    I    ha\e   no  douhi    hut 

they  would  ailopl  the  same  \  lew  of  ihc  c;isi'  ili;it 
has     liccn     [il-i-<i'nl  ed     ;dio\e.        These     ;il'e     the     iud\' 

jirimiides  upon   which  a    perfectly  etpiiialde  set- 


01       Auiohiof/raphij    of    John    E.    Masscij 

tlcincMit  cim  1)('  iiia(l(\  Any  inatorial  dcpai'tiiro 
from  Iliciii  iinist  do  jiijiisticc  to  one  or  Ili('  oIIk^t" 
pai'tv.  If  we  ask  iiioi'c^  than  is  i*iij::lit,  we  do  iii- 
jiisticc  (o  odu'T's.  If  w(^  f'OTi('('<l('  inoi'c  than  is 
I'iiiht,  wo  <lo  injustice  to  ourselves.  We  shouhl 
take  no  ])osition  that  cannot  l)e  vindicated  upon 
perfectly  e((ui(ahle  ])rinci]des. 

''  Thei'e  is  yet  another  class  of  bondholders. 
A  little  inoi-e  than  one-fourth  of  the  debt  of  Vlr- 
i^inia  of  1S(!1  is  owned  in  lMii*o])e.  The  holders 
of  this  ])art  of  the  debt  ai'e  not  responsibb^  for 
our  losses.  They  are  neithei'  i'es])onsible  for  the 
^^■ar  and  its  h\L!;it  iniate  consequen<-es  on  tlu^  ()n(^ 
hand,  noi'  foi'  the  wanton  destruction  of  our 
j)ro])erty  aftei-  the  war  on  the  otliei*.  I  am  not 
appi'ised,  thei'efoi'e,  of  any  (Mpiitable  c^i'ound 
upon  ^\•hich  we  can  (daim  a  settlement  of  that 
]iai-t  of  the  debt  which  was  o\\"ned  in  Eurojie, 
<il  the  dose  of  tJic  irar,  at  less  than  its  face 
value.  Ar,'j:uin,u',  therefoi-e,  upon  the  assum])- 
tion  that  the  debt  of  ISt'd  followed  the  soil  of 
the  old  State,  and  is  a  valid  obliiration  upon 
its  i)i'esent  occupants,  it  dc\ol\-es  u])on  us  to 
]iay  t  wo-thii'ds  of  the  debt  due  to  10uro])ean 
bondholdei's.  We  ouulit  not,  however,  to  b(^ 
under  the  necessity  of  e\-en  consideriuii"  this 
question,  r.cyond  all  reasonable  doubt  the  {'(mI- 
eial  ( }o\ci-niiienl  is  'liable  for  at  least  so  much 
of  the  debt   as   is  due  to  non-resident   creditoi's." 

'•  I  lia\'e  endca\"ored  to  considci'  this  subject 
in  its  \arious  pai'ts  upon  sti'iclly  ecpiilable  ])i-in- 
ciplcs.  and  to  ascertain  what  adjustments  of  it 
would  be  just  and  riulil  to  all  part ies  concerneil. 

"  1'lie  conclusions  to  wliieli  1  ha\('  ari'ixed,  in 
view  of  all  the  fads  which  ouulit  to  be  taken 
into  consideration,  are: 


••  Ih  his  nixl   T'l.n  s  "  !)."» 

••  I-^'i-sr.       \'irLriiii;i     tniiiiMt     li.-    .M|uitaltly     n*- 

(plil'-'i!      In     Srll]*-      Ill'ir.-     lli;ili      I  W  - 1- 1  li  i  F't  1 S     tif     lln' 

<|rt.t   (.f  X'irLNiiia   <>(  1  ^'il . 

'•  Sfciiiiilly.  Nil  iiin'r''>i  nui^ht  in  In-  allnufil 
<>ri  tlit'M-  iwu  ihinls  (luiiiiLr  iln-  fmii'  y<-ai">  uf  the 
war. 

"Tliinily.  'I'Im-  ImiikIv  l,.-!,]  huih  in  N'iru'inia 
ami  ilif  \iir-t  li'-r-ii  Siai<->  miil:1i'  '"  1"'  s«al''>l  in 
full  jir<>[M.i-i  JMii  lu  ihr  il-->n  iiciidii  iif  ihi'  pruji- 
f-rry  of  \"irL:iiiia   ia.\jiayiT<. 

'•  I'Muri  Illy.  '!'ln'  ImiihIs  Im-M  ]>y  Ilur'tjM-ans 
iiiil:1iI  Ik  lit-  jiaitl  ai  itp-ii'  fa<f  \aliif  hy  tin-  I'l-d- 
t-ral    <  1m\  ••Mi!iM-iii. 

•'  \'ii-L''iiiia  sliMiiM  in  no  .-M-ni  pay  iiior.-  ijian 
iUM-tliir<U  nf  ihi'ir  anninnf.  N'm  ini'-r'-^i  >liiiul<l 
]•<•  paid  (III  !li<-<"'  I  \\(i-i  liirds  duriiiL:  iIm-  war;  aiul 
111-'  rlaiiiiani  sliMiild  ti.'  c.-ipij  i-i-d  to  i'>.iatdi>li  Tin* 
fa<i  ihai  his  IimikI  wa^  (puim-iI  in  Ijirnpi-  at  iIm- 
cImx,.  i,f  tl|,.   war. 

■'  I  lM'lii-\f  a  >i-n  Icniriii  mad'-  in  acMrdarict' 
wiih  ilic  \if\\s  and  up-in  iIm-  prini-ipl'-->  >•'!  fnrili 
Would  "oniiiiand  i!i<-  rfvp.-,i  and  appi'oNal  of  all 
iiiipai'iial  and  unpP'- jud ii-.-d   mi-n   Mm-  world  Kvy. 

••  Til'-  i-r-nll  of  -o  .-.piiiaMi'  a  -'-l  i  l'-iM--iit  would 
Ih-  ihai  ilir  pr'-'-iH  «h-lii  of  X'irLTinia  <oidd  not 
<'\r.-.-d  .V  !.",.( 1(11 1. (MM  I.  ;ind  iiii'jiii  fall  f.ir  Im^Iow  ihal 
sum. 

••  It  i-  -aid  ■  til'-  w  ind  i-  t ••in pi-i-'-d  u>  \]\>-  >lioi-n 
land'."  .\iid  li'-rr  w.-  >^.m-  that  lii''  r-'dmiion  of 
our  ald!ii\  to  pa  \'  !ia>v  Im-.-u  a  rconi  p:i  n  i<'d  with  a 
rofi-''-poniJdi'_''  d  ill' iiiu' ion  of  ouf  m;oI';i1  oldii:;!- 
lioii.  Til'-  v;|M:,-  ,  ,Mi-''  wliiili  r.-nd'^P'-d  u-  unald'- 
lo  pa\  !!;•■  uli-!.'  d'l.i  i-.!ii-\.-d  u-  floni  :i|l  nioi'al 
oldii:;!  I  ion    I  o   p.  I  V    it    all. 

•■' Sin-li  ;i  -,■:  •  |i-:i:i'nt  ;i-  I  !ia\'-  •-ui:Lr'--i'-d  would 
1>'-   tMpiii;d'l>'    t,,   ;dl    parii.-v,      N.-iili'-r    tli'-    lioiid- 


•h;       Aiih)lii()(/)-(ip]iu    of    .loll)}    K.    Mux^cij 

lioldci'  ii(»r  the  taxi)ay('r  would  Ix'  ])l;tc(Ml  in 
t'illicr  a  Ix'tlci'  (U-  worse  coiidiiioii  i-clat  ixcly  to 
the  otiici'  tliaii  lie  (icciipicd  when  tlic  dcUt  was 
(TcattMl. 

"  The  l)()ndli()ld('T'  would  r('c('i\('  iicitlicr  a 
iii'calci*  iioi'  less  jii'opoH  ion  of  his  bond  than  the 
laxjtaycf  retained  of  his  jn-ojierty. 

"Some  ai'e  so  weak-minded,  or'  so  blimled  bv 
]ti'ejn(lice,  as  1o  cliai'i^e  thai  these  \iews  savoi"  of 
rejimliat  ion.  It  is  a  source  of  reuTet  thai  there 
are  any  who  either  cannot  oi-  will  not  distin- 
.U'uisli  between  an  e(|uitable  settlement  of  a  debt 
and  its  re])U<lia1  ion !  I  am  sorry  for  such. 
They  lack  either  common  j)ers]ticacily  or  com- 
mon honesty.  In  either  case  they  are  to  l)e 
])it  ied. 

"  IJejiudiat  ion  is  wlndly  out  of  the  (|m'stion. 
It  should  not  be  thonuiit  of  exceiit  as  tin' 
(/( /iiifr  rrssoi'l.  Tt  is  the  im|)erati\-e  duty  of  both 
indi\iduals  and  Slates  lo  pay  their  just  debts  to 
the  utmost  of  theii'  ability.  r»o1h  indi\iduals 
and  States  may  in(|uire  into  the  justice  of 
claims  wliich  may  be  i»i-ou!j,]iI  ai^ainst  them:  and 
the\-  c;in  not  be  censni'ed  fiu'  refusiuL!;  to  ]>ay 
them  if  they  are  not  Just.  l'>ul  when  once  their 
jtr'<tice  is  established,  the  obliiiatioii  to  pay 
is  im|(ei-at  i\e.  Xothiiiu'  sIkuM  of  her  own  i)T'eser- 
\ati(m  juslilies  a  State  in  refusini:'  to  meet  hei* 
']\\<\  obliLial  ions.  The  obligation  of  self-ju'cser- 
vatioii  is  jiai'amount  with  States  as  well  as  with 
indi\iduals.  A  State  may  not,  fm-  ;iny  cause. 
destro\-  hei"  own  existence.  'i'o  pTeserNe  herself 
she  must    protect   hei'  citizens.      If  the  indi\idual 

meiiilirl'S  of  society  be  properly  pi'olected.  So- 
ciety will  be  safe.  r>ul  if  the  riiiiits  of  indi- 
\"iduals  lie  disi'eL-ardi'd,  the  socielv  will  soon  bd 


/>'    his     illtd      '/'./. 


ir 


(lest  I'dVfd.  W'lifll,  I  lii'iclm-i.  (Icliuilltis  ll]Mili  ;i 
Stall'  hccdiiH'  so  mil <a>unal»|r  or  cxuiliiiaiil  iliat 
(•i»iii|iliaii(i'  wiili  ilii'iii  WMiild  riii>li  Ih'I'  ciii/.i'iis. 
ami  llius  i'ii(laiii:ci-  lifi-  nw  n  lifi\  ilicii.  and  (udv 
llirii,   may  slit-   i-c|iiidiaii'   ln-i-  ]\\>\    old  iu'ai  i<'ii>^. 

".Many  wlm  fully  cumui-  with  iln-  xicws  1 
lia\<'  iiri'Sfiilcd  n|i]Mi>c  aLiilaliiiii  of  tin*  suliji-ct 
iM'causi'   iliry   scr    nil   way   nf    ridirf. 

••'idl  W\  '  has  arr(im|ilisliiMl  wonders.  "1 
raniioi  '  ni'\i-i"  ariom|dislicd  anyihinLT.  Noni-  can 
di-ny  thai  wr  ai-r  In-ai-iim  an  unjust  wi-iuiiit  of 
ih'lil  ;  and  a  wriu'hi  murli  ui'i'a'i'i"  than  wr  an' 
aide  to  lirai'.  I  lia\i'  alwa_\s  iii-lii'\rd  that  w  hi'U 
till'  iH'oplr  of  \'iiL:iina  fully  umlrisiaml  ilu-ir 
I'i^hls  and  dulirs.  tlii-y  will  |U'oiii|itly  and  tiiaiily 
ma  iiila  in    i  hr  om-  and    |ii'i-fonii    i  In-  ot  lin-. 

•• 'i'lii'  rasi'  is  liy  no  mraiis  hoiir|i->>.  thouudi 
lii'dLii'd  alioiit  liy  ditlirult  ii's.  I'liiti'd  and  ]>i'i"- 
si.^lrni  I'ffoii  will,  hryoiid  doiilii,  lifin^:-  foi-tli 
fruit. 

•'Till-  iiui'stioiis  whiih  addl-i'ss  ihcinsrUi'S  to 
us  air:  What  aiT  wr  ahh'  to  do'.'  And  what. 
Iimli'f  all  till'  rilTlimsl;t  iiii-s,  ouulit  wr  to  do'.' 
I.rl     us    roll^idrf    tlir^r    snl'jrcls    Wr||.    drridr    thrill 

wisriy.    ;iiid    ihi'ii    tiiiiily    and    |M'i-sr\ criiiLily    ad- 

lirfr  to  what  wr  lir|ir\C  to  lir  j-iiilit.  Iiolh  lo  ollf- 
Sr|\CS    and     to    othrl-S.         \'rV\     frv|ir(l  flll  1  \  . 

"•InllN    W.    .\I  \->i;v. 
"  .V'-li    La  w  II.   .\  llii-ma  fir  (  'i...    \',i., 

"  s.jii.  L';;,  i^7.".,"" 


I    had    liad    many    ^ol  ir  ii  ;i  i  m  iii^    to    puMish    i!i\- 
\irws  ill   pa  III  I'll  Iri    form   for  i^rih^ral   d  i^i  lilnil  ion 

0\  rr     I  hr     Sl:l  Ir.         I      did     I  111-.         WlirH     I  ||,.     lil'vl     ,-,\\. 
tioll     was    rxhall^Irii     I     [Hllil  i'-hrd    a    ^rrnlld    rdilioii. 

1    niirrrd   ihr   |iM|iii(;il  ;irrii,i    rrliiriaii!  ly,  hut. 


08       AuhihUxjraphy    of    John    JJ.    Mas.'<(ij 

when  I  saw  the  coiuHtion  of  ]»nl)lic  atVairs,  T 
felt  that  I  ou.uiit  to  try  to  reiiHMly  tluMii  so  far 
as  OTIC  man  could,  and  I  wished  to  be  re-elected 
for  that  jmrpose.  Jii  the  autuniii  of  187.")  I  was 
atrain  elected  to  the  House  of  Deleirates. 


('iiArTi:K  \iii 

'•  TO  Tin;  ri;oi>i,i:  of  vikcima  "' 

Hon.  a.  II.  II.  SiTAUi".  (iiic  of  \'iri:inia"s 
allies!  iiKTi  and  an  uiicdiiijM-iiiiiisiiitj,-  i'undci-.  vc- 
jilit'd  to  iiiv  jiaiiiiililct  tlironuh  ilif  Siauiiloii 
i<li( ctdtur.      I    rt'joiiKMl   as   follows : 

■■   In    llic    I'tnjiJr    of    \"ti«]'n(  id . 

"  l'i:i.i.o\v-(ri-i/i:.\s :  'rhc  last  mail  hroimhi 
iiH-  scM-ral  cojiics  of  ihr  Siaiintoii  S /h  chihir. 
(diiia  ininu^  an  aildrcss  of  lion.  A.  II.  II.  Sniaia 
'lo  lilt'  iicojilc  of  AiiLiusia  ('oiiiiiy'  upon  'tlio 
Siaic  dclii  (|iicsiion/  and  scxcral  Idlers  from 
prominent  cili/eiis  of  thai  county,  askiuir  me 
lo  ■j:\\r  my  \ie\\s  U|M)n  siUUe  of  tlie  points  dis- 
cussed  in   tliat   addri'ss.     As  (fliers  ari-  as  mmh 

interested      in      the     Stllijecl      as     llioso     who     lia\e 

wriiteii  to  nic  niton  it,  I  will  resjHuid  to  these 
correspondents  through  the  same  meilinm  which 
L:a\e  them  .Mr.  Stuart's  address. 

"I  pi'o|Mise  to  notice  only  those  jioinis  of  tin- 
address  which  are  id'  ueiifi'al  interest,  and  which 
are  peiiineiii  to  a  |u-oper  understand  iim'  of  (Uir 
relation  \n  the  'State  delii,"  and  our  oldiuatiou 
and  aliility  to  ]iay  it. 

'•.Mr.     Sluart      has     pl-e^ellled     the     liondhohlei's" 

aruunieiii  ingeniously  a  iid  spcciou-^ly.  hut  his  ad- 
dress Would,  in  my  ojiiiiion,  love  noihim::  of 
merit  if  it  were  less  iuLTenious  ami  more  iuLTenu- 
ous.  It  contains  a  minute  history  of  the  ori;,dn 
id'   the   debt    of   old    X'iruiuia,    while    the   chanu'i'-^ 

99 


100     Aiitohi<)(ir(!j)Jn/    of    Jolui    E.    Masf^cy 

that  have  taken  ])la('i'  since  that  debt  was  con- 
tracieil  receive  only  such  notice  as  is  cah-nlated 
to  divert  attention  from  tlie  real  facts  of  the 
case.  I  refei'  to  these  clianii'es — the  total  anni- 
liilation  of  the  ])arty  that  contracted  the  debt, 
the  (h'sti'uction  of  tlie  assets  and  resources  of 
the  old  State,  and  the  erection  ui>on  the  ruins  of 
the  old  State  of  two  new,  sejjarate,  and  totally 
diCl'erent  States. 

"  It  is  not  denied  that  Virujinia  of  1St'>()  owed 
the  sum  of  S31,l ST, !)!)!). :}L\  nor  that  she  was  both 
moi-ally  and  lepilly  bound  to  ]>ay  it.  The  (jues- 
tions  we  have  to  decide  are,  not  how  the  debt  of 
old  A'iruinia  was  contracted,  but,  tirst,  to  what 
extent,  if  any,  are  we  under  obliujation  to  pay 
it  ;  and,  secondly,  are  \\e  a])le  to  ]»ay  it. 

'*  .Ml'.  Stuart  allirms  that  each  of  the  new 
Slates — \'iriiinia  and  West  \^iruinia — was  bound 
for  the  whoie  debt  of  the  old  State,  but  that  tlie 
I'undiiiu"  r>ill  dixided  their  res])oiisibility  and 
(h'tinitely  settled  the  ]»ortion  of  it  x\liich  should 
be  ])aid  by  \'ir<i,'inia  and  West  ^'ir,t,^nia,  respec- 
tiv<'ly.  lie  says:  'The  joint  oblipition  of  the 
two  States  arose  out  of  the  old  bonds  issued  be- 
fore the  war;  and  when  the  holders  of  these 
bonds  \-olutitarily  surrendered  them,  and  took 
new  obligations,  in  lieu  of  them,  by  which  Wv- 
uinia  bound  herself  to  ])ay  Iwo-thirds  of  the  oriLT- 
inal  (lelit.  and  ui\'e  a  certiticate,  which  was  a 
iii'-re  exidcncc  of  the  amount  due  from  West  Wv- 
uinia,  the  old  Inuids  were  annulle(|.  and  there- 
aflcT'  had  no  \alidity.  The  case  may  be  illus- 
trated by  a  familiar  e\am|t]e.  Sujiposc  A  and 
r.  are  partners  in  imsiness,  A  owiiiiiL;  Iwo-ihii'ds 
and  r>  one  thir(l.  The  lirm  owes  a  debt  of  three 
thousand   dollars  to  (\   which    is  e\idenced  bv  a 


"  V'o  I  Ik    I'l'ifih   of   \  iiii'niin  "  1(11 

\Hlf  itf  the  j»;ll-l  Ilcrslii|(.  A  d  issi  i|  iH  iutl  takes 
|>lari',  and  A  lakes  1  w  o  i  hi  i-(|s  of  ihc  assris  and 
r.  \\\r  rcinainiuu  lliird.  A,  li<i\\  r\  ci'.  i-ciaiiis  tlic 
jiail  iii'isjiip  IxMiks.  Ii  is  (ili\ii>iis  ihaL  milwilh- 
siaiidiii;:'    the   d  issoliil  idii.    lioiji    iiartiifi-s   arc   rc- 

Slxilisihlc   Id   ("    t'ol-  the    wIkiIc   <lrl(I.       I'.UI,   Sllpliosc 

A.  Ix'iii^-  aiixiiius  In  ui't  rid  id'  his  rcs|Miiisihility 
t'dl-  ihc  share  id'  the  drill  dlli-  t'linn  !'..  shmild  ^i ) 
Id  (",  and,  at'ii-r  ri'|irr^i'iii  iim  in  him  ihc  fari 
thai  r>  was  in  |Miss(ssiDn  dT  unc-ihird  id'  ilic  paiM- 
ncrslii|i  assets,  ;ind  was.  thcridDic,  the  |iarty  that 
was  in  c(|uiiy  ItDMiid  Id  |>;iy  luic  ihiid  id'  ihc  delil, 
shiiiihl  in-Djiiise  Id  ("  ihat  he  shiiuhi  siirrender 
the  idd  iiiiic  iiiid  laki',  in  lien  id'  ii.  a  new  nnic 
fi-Dni  A  I'di'  his  iWDihiids  id'  ihe  dehi,  and  A's 
eeia  ilieale   ihai    r."s    ihii'd    was  siijl    due   and    iiti- 

sntistieij.        II'    ('    shiillld    aeee]i|     this     |il-D|i()sil  iDli. 

WDiild  anv  seiisilde  man  sniijiDsc  ihai  the  uriu- 
inal  iiDic  ihal  had  heen  siirremh'n'd  and  lan- 
eidled  \\;is  siill  ill  I'Drec,  ;ind  ihai  an  aeiion 
cDiild  he  hi'Dii^ht  III!  i I '.'  <)r,  WDiiM  any  |ii-r>Dn 
sii|i|iD>c  ihal  ('  cDiiM  siill  [irDcccd  auaiii^i  A  fni' 
r.'s  share.  iidI  w  it  hstandi  iiu'  ihi'  siirri-nder  d|'  the 
iihl  iildiizaiiDii.  and  ihe  suhsiiniiiDii  id'  a  new 
aLirciMiieni    Imm  w  en    A   and   (  ".'  " 

"  The  l';ilhiey  id'  ihis  .-i  run  im-n  I  is  sd  niipMieni 
thai  line  cinma  Imi  he  snipri^ed  ihai  Mr.  Siiiari 
I'.-iih'd     Id     Sec     ii.       Mis    •familiar    c\;ini|dc"    ;is 

snilies.     which     is    IIdI     the    f;|c|.    lh;||     \' i  rL;i  1 1  i;  i    ;ind 

West  X'iruinia,  di-iiiL;'  liiivjncvv  id^cihcr  ;iv  ;i  lii'iii, 
ili<sid\cd  |>a  rl  neivhi  |i,  .-ind  di\idc(|  ilh-ii-  mwi-is. 
N'ii'Liinia     inkiim    and     kcc[iiiiu'     iwMihirdv,    ;iii(| 

W'e.^l      N'il'Llinia     uliclhil-d.         In     ^\\r\\     a     c;|xc     c;|c|| 

Si;ile  Dnuhl.  clearly.  Id  ;is>iime  ihc  ^nnic  |irM]tiii"- 
t  ion  id'  I  he  del. I  s  I  hat  ii  held  of  i  h.-  ;isx,-ix.  j.iii 
snch   w  as  imi    t  he  case. 


102     Ai(toh}o(jrap]ty    of    John   E.    Masscy 

"'To  clianiic  .Mr.  Stnai-t's  'familiar  ('xani])le,' 
so  as  luoi-c  ])ro]>(M'ly  to  illiisli-alc  (he  case,  let  us 
su|>]>os('  that  the  creditor,  (\  forcibly  ('liters 
U]M»n  the  jiossessioiis  of  his  debtors,  A  and  J>, 
and  illegally  aiul  iiie(|uitaldy  breaks  iij)  the 
tiiMii,  takes  oiie-third  of  its  assets  oft',  and  sets  ^^ 
up  in  business  to  himself,  then  demolishes  every 
Aestii^e  of  the  old  tirm,  and  robs  A  and  his  chil- 
dren of  their  individual  ])ro]terty.  Would  even 
Mr.  Stuart,  contend  that  A  and  his  children  and 
grandchildren  were  morally  bound  to  a]>|)ly  their 
hard  earnin,i>s,  the  ])i'()(lucts  of  their  labor,  to 
the  ])ayment  of  ("s  boml?  If  he  would,  I,  with 
nine-tenths  of  the  |)eo])le  of  \'ir,uinia,  would  not. 
I  submit  to  you,  fellow-citizens,  if  this  does  not 
more  fairly  illustrate  the  case  Ix'fore  us  than 
^\r.  Stuart's  'familial'  examj)le"  does?  A  ])art 
of  the  teri-itory  and  assets  of  the  (thl  Stale  were 
(aken  from  her  \Nilhont  her  consent,  and,  in  vio- 
lation of  all  riuht,  constilulcd  into  a  new  State. 
The  entity  or  existence  of  the  old  State  was 
totally  destroyed,  and  a  nnlitaiw  ,L,M)vernment  es- 
tablished i!j)on  her  ruins.  This  N\as  not  all. 
More  than  one-half  of  the  available  ])rivate 
jirojx'i'ty  of  her  cili/eiis  was  either  taken  or  de- 
stroyed, ^'et,  those  that  des]>oiled  the  fathers 
demand  fnll  paxiiieiit  of  their  bonds  by  the  toils 
and  labors  of  the  children;  and  some  of  onr  own 
citi/eiis  seem  to  i-eL^ard  it  hnmiliatinu"  and  de- 
U'radin^"  excn  to  (jnestion  the  e(|i)ily  of  these  de- 
mands. .Mr.  Stnart  says,  when  speaking  of  the 
passage  of  the  I'nndinu'  15111:  'It  is  allouelher 
pi-obabli'  that  if  onr  b'uislators  had  foru'otlen 
thai  they  I'epreseiit  jii-ond-spii-iied  \'ii'i:inians, 
and  had  humblecl  themsehcs  before  her  cred- 
itors, and,  with  bowed  heads  and  bated  breath, 


r<i  till   I'l'ijih   i,[  \  ii'iiiiin 


1():{ 


;ipjtf;il(Ml  t(i  ilicir  rliacilv,  iiHU-r  r;i\ nrjildc  Iri-iiis 
Iiiiulit  li;i\f  Iift'ii  ()lit;iiiici|."  'I'li;il  siicli  ;i  hill 
should  cNcr  h;i\r  hfcii  passed  liv  a  N'iri^inia 
h'^ishiMirt'  is  a  source  of  siii]u-ise  ami  iiiorliti- 
calioii;  lull  il  is  some  e(Uisolaliou  lo  kn<i\\  ihal 
those  that  wei'e  inosi  aeii\e  in  ]U'e[)ai-iuL!,'  it  ami 
'  lotihviii^    it    throuLih*    were    /i"t     \  irqinin iix. 

••is  Mr.  Siuaii's  \crsion  of  the  I'umliiiLT  Uill 
correct  ? 

"Ilesiivs:  '  I  ha\('  ueiierallv  found  ihal  those 
that  were  most  clamoriuis  in  deuoum-iim'  it  were 
nio>t  ignorant  of  its  ohjects,  its  luumiples.  and 
its  proN'isions.*  Aftei'  thus  sjiarpiv  criiicisiuL^ 
others,  lie  sur(dv  should  not  hecome  liahh'  to  a 
similar  criticism.  Let  us  see  lio\\-  ihe  case 
stands.  lie  (daims  that  the  I'undini:'  I'.ill  re- 
leased X'iruiida  from  all  liahililv  for  the  un- 
funde<l  third  of  the  old  holids.  or  foi-  ihe  celMili- 
<'ates  issued  fiU'  that  third.  1  do  noi  admit  that 
X'irLriiiiii  \\;is  liahh'  for  an.\  part  id'  the  old  honds, 
Imt  shall  discuss  the  suhject  upon  Mr.  Siuari's 
theory. 

"lie  says:  '  S(une  ii:iiorant  peo]di'  maintain 
that  this  lu-ojiosii  iiui  was  tainted  with  re[uidia- 
timi.  and  oihi-rs  alVirm  thai  the  Stale  of  \'ir- 
L^inia,  not  w  ii  hsiamliiiLi'  the  acceptance  (d"  the 
proposiiioii  and  the  vuri-emler  of  the  old  honds. 
is  siill  lialde  f(U-  the  >liare  of  the  dehi  due  from 
West  X'iiuinia.  Uoili  id"  ihe^e  a>sumpiions  are 
idle  delusions." 

••    lie    presented     ihe    saille     \ieW,    hul     iu    a    ililVer- 

'■ni     form,    in    his    •familiar    examph'"    which     1 

lia\  !•  a  I  I'cady  ipioi  ed. 

••|s  this   position    warranted   hy    fact>-'.' 

•'.Mr.    Stuart    starts    out    with    the  decdaratiiui 

that    "hoth     N'iiLrinia    and    West     \iri,''inia    were 


104     Autobiogrnphy    of    John    JL    Mas.'^rij 

bound  for  the  \\hol('  of  it  " — the  old  debt,  before 
the  i);issin<j;  of  the  l''uiidin<i'  Hill,  lie  then  ;is- 
sunies  that  the  bondholder  that  accepted  the 
t<'i'ins  of  that  bill  i-ideased  A'iruinia  thei'ebv  from 
all  liability  for  the  nnfniuled  third  of  his  old 
bonds,  and  received  'a  cei'titicate  which  was  a 
mere  evidence  of  the  amount  due  from  West  \\v- 
*!:inia,  the  old  bonds  were  annulled,  and  there- 
after had  no  validity.'  He  asks:  'Would  any 
sensible  man  suj)])ose  that  the  original  note, 
which  had  been  sui'rendei-ed  and  cancelled,  was 
still  in  foi'ce,  and  that  an  action  could  b(' 
bi'ouiihl   on  it?  ' 

"  I  should  like  to  ask  .Mi'.  Stuart,  who  I  know 
(.s-  a  sensible  man,  are  those  old  bonds  I'cally 
cancelled  as  to  their  unfumled  third?  If  so, 
why  is  it  'that  the  State  of  N'ir^inia  holds  said 
boTuls,  so  far  as  unfunded,  in  trust  for  the  holder 
oi'  his  assiiiiiees,  of  the  certiticate  that  certifies 
the  amount  still  due  ujxm  them?  Tpon  what 
would  he  brini;-  an  action  oi-  'suit  against  West 
N'ii'uiuia  in  the  Su])reme  Court  of  the  Tnited 
States  (as  he  says  may  be  done)  to  i-ecover  lu'r 
fair  i»r(»j)ort  ion  of  the  debt,"  if  not  uj)ou  these 
old  l)onds?  And  if  \'ii'.uinia  may  sue  West  V'w- 
tiinia  upon  those  old  bonds,  may  not  any  other 
State,  to  which  their  ownei's  may  assign  iliem, 
sue  \'ir(/'nii(i  u|)(tu  them?  These  Ixuidholders 
ha\('  certificates  that  the  'State  of  X'iriiinia 
holds  said  bonds,  so  fai'  as  unfunded,  in  trust 
for  the  holder  or  his  assiL:;nees"  of  said  certifi- 
cates. 

"  I  deny  that  th<'  I'^umlini;'  Uill  reh'ased  \'ii'- 
liinia  fi-om  liability  for  the  unfunded  tliii-d  of 
the  old  b()n<ls,  or  that  those  who  passed  il  in- 
tended to  release  her. 


■'  I'll  fill    I'l  ,)j,l,    (,f   Mrii'iniii 


10." 


"  Tlifv  liiiuiiil  X'iruiiiin  sfj);ir;ii<'I_v  ;iii(l  siiiixly 
flip  Iwddiirds  (if  llii'  old  ImiikIs,  aixl  left  luT 
liiMiiiil.  jiiiiiilv  with  W'tsi  N'ii^inia.  fur  the  oIIht 
tliii'd. 

"  Tlir  iliinl  s.'ciidii  of  ilic  I'limliiiLr  Hill  rrads: 
'rjioii  ihc  smTcIlilel'  (if  llic  did  and  the  arccjil- 
aiirr  (if  the  iii'W  lidiids  for  t  w  d-t  liirds  of  the 
aiiioiiiil  duf  as  ]iro\i(lc(l  in  iln-  last  iircccdini; 
sell  ion,  ilicrc  shall  l»c  issiic(l  to  the  ow  m-r  oi" 
o\\  Ilfl'S,  fol'  llic  (illicf  ollc-l  liiid  of  the  aillollIll 
due  iiiioii  llic  old  lioiids.  stock,  of  ccftiticatc  of 
iiidcliiiMJiicss  so  siirfciidcfc(l.  a  ccftilicatc  licaf- 
iiiir  the  same  date  as  the  new  lioinl.  sctliiii;  foi'th 
till'  aiiiouiii  of  ilic  liond  wliicli  is  not  fnn(ii'<i  as 
jii'oN  i(lt'(l  in  llic  last  iifcct'diiiLT  section,  and  that 
pa  viiiciii  III' said  amount  with  intcfcsi  ihcfcon.  at 
ihc  fate  |ifc-cfilicd  in  the  hoiid  suf fcn(lcfc(|,  will 
lie  |ifo\ide(l  fof  in  accofdaiice  with  such  s.'ttle- 
iiienl  as  shall  licfcaficf  In-  had  lictwcen  the 
States  of  X'ifuiina  and  West  N'ii'uinia  in  fei^afd 
to  the  [Hililic  dclit  of  the  State  of  N'ifuiiiia  cxisl- 
iniT  .'ii  the  liiijc  of  tile  disiiieniliefiiicni.  and  that 
llie  State  of  N'ifiriiiia  holds  said  lionds.  so  faf 
as  niifimdiMl.  in  iinst  fof  the  lioldef  of  his  as- 
siLlIices.' 

■•This    iiieans     nothiiiLr    iiiofe    than     thai     tin' 

lloldcI>.    of     llle--e     cefliticates     a  I'c     to     defcf     tlicif 

collection  until  X'ifuiiiia  has  fea^onaldc  time  to 
aM-eiiain  liow  much  lif  an\  i  of  the  dclit  West 
\'ifL:inia  will  aui-ee  to  pax.  It  does  not  felease 
X'ifuinia  ffom  ilie  payment  of  one  dolhif.  tnit 
lea\cN  hef  liouiid  fof  \-\yv\  dolhif  of  it.  Iioih  pfin- 
eipal   and    iniiie-t. 

••   W   haleX  ef      pol-t  !,.n      of      I  he     delil       of      llie      old 

Slate  Wot  N'ifLiinia  pays  will  he  applieil  to  the 
payiiieiii    of    this    thifd.      Wliaie\ff  she    fails    to 


lOG     Auiohior/raphi/    of    John    E.    Mftf<!^cy 

pay  will,  accord iiiii;  to  tlic  pi'ovisions  of  tlio 
l^iiiidinix  IJill,  1)0  (Icinandcd  of  \'li'uinia.  Tn  tliis 
\\:\\\  and  this  way  only,  '  ])ayin('iit  of  said  amount 
with  interest  thereon  at  the  rat(»  ]»rescribed  in 
the  Ixtnd  sni-i'en(h'r(Ml,  will  be  ])rovided  for  in  ac- 
coi'dance  with  such  settlement  as  shall  hei'(\'ifter 
he  had  between  the  States  of  \'iruiiiia  and  AVest 
A'iru'inia  in  I'eiiard  to  the  pnblic  debt  of  Vir- 
li'inia  existini;  at  the  time  of  the  dismemlxM'iiient.' 
If  West  ViT'.u-inia  ])ays  the  whole  amonnt  of  this 
one-third,  Vii',n"inia  will  be  relieved  of  it  all.  If 
West  Vir<::inia  ])ays  bnt  one-half  of  it,  Virginia 
will  be  called  on"  for  the  olhei-  half.  Tf  W(^st 
Viri,nnia  ]>ays  none  of  it,  Virginia  will  be  called 
npon  for  the  \\hole  amonnt. 

"The  l-'nndini,^  I'.ill  does  not  ])i-oyi(h'  for  the 
])ayment  of  so  mnch  of  this  thii'd  as  ^Vest  A'ii'- 
U'inia  au'rees  to  ]iay,  bnt  foi'  the  ])ayment  of  the 
whole  of  it  in  accoi'dance  with  snch  settlement 
as  tlie  two  Stales  may  make — settlinn'  the  ysov- 
tion  of  the  debt  pro])er  to  be  borne  by  each  State 
I'esjx'ct  i\('ly. 

"That  those  who  ])assed  the  l'nndin<x  l)ill  did 
not  inleiid  to  release  \'ii'i:'inia  fi-om  liei'  liability 
for  the  niifnnded  ihird  of  ihe  old  bonils  is 
sli(»wn  by  theii'  ])ositi\'e  and  i-epcate(l  fefnsals  to 
do  so. 

"When  the  bill  was  nndei'  consideration  a 
motion  was  madi'  to  sii-ike  from  the  section  T 
lia\o  <|llo1('(l  tlie  W(il-(ls  "thai  llie  Slate  of  \\v- 
uiiiia  holds  said  iioiids.  so  far  as  nnftiiide(l.  in 
trust  for  the  holdm-  or  his  assiuiiee."  and  to  in- 
sert, in  their  steaii,  the  fol  lowini;' :  'Scttin.ui; 
fiii'ili  ;ils(i.  in  the  body  of  saiil  cert  ilicate.  a  pro- 
\is(i  in  the  following'  words:  '  I'm  tlio  State  of 
\'iiuinia    is  not,  and   will   not    be  iHniiid,    in  anv 


'•  7'o  Uk    l^iojiji    (,f    \"n-(iini'i  "  107 

iiuiiiiiiT  of  foi'in.  fdi'  llic  [iM yiiii-iii,  iKiw  iir  ;il  ;iiiy 
fill  HIT  I  iiiif.  of  t  liis  <-ri  I  iticiiic,  (!!•  iiiiy  ji;iri  I  litTc- 
iif :  liiii  iliis  is  uiilnMii  ;iiiy  pi'i' jmlicr  lo  lln-  imliIiIs 
of  ihf  lidlilcr  lliclTof  Id  (l('iii;iii(l  ]i;iyiiifnl  nf  ihc 
s;lliir  n\'  llir  Slalc  of  W'csl  \' i  riii  II  i;l .'  This  \\;1S 
;i  ]»l;iin  and  dctiniit'  ]iroii<isit  ion  in  nniiiisialx- 
alilr  lanunaiic  If  il  IkhI  Imtii  a(lo|ti((l  ii  would 
lia\t'  sciilcd.  Iicyoiid  doiihi.  ilial  llio-.f  ihal  sur- 
ri'iidcrcil  ilifii-old  iMiinlsand  acci'ptrd  iifw  ones 
for  t  w  III  hinls  of  ilicii'  aiiioiint,  tlifi-chy  I'din- 
(liiislird  all  claiiii  au'ainsi  \'iruinia  for  iln-  rc- 
niainiiii:'  iliii-d.  Who  »an  doiilii  iliai  ihis  |iro|>n- 
siiioii  would  lia\('  hccii  auTccd  lo  hy  thi-  fi-aiiH-rs 
of  ihr  I'lindinu'  I'.ill  if  it  had  hern  tln-ii-  luii'iios.' 
to  rrh-asc  X'iruinia  from  all  lialdlity  for  ihr  un- 
fiindc(l  iliird  of  tin-  old  lionds?  This  auiciid- 
iiiciit    was  rejected,  aiid    its   rejection   shows   that 

it     was     not     the     JUIfpos,'    of    those    that     I-ejected     it 

to  i-e<|uire  the  lioiiilhohler  to  Pel  i  IK  |  u  i --Il  aiiy  claim 
he  had.  of  siipiMised  he  had.  auaiii^t  N'ir^inia  for 
a  siiiule  ilollar. 

"  It  was  then  iiio\cd  to  amend  the  hill  hy  in- 
seriiuiT  after  the  word  a>sii:iiees.  Hear  the  mid- 
dle of  the  third  section,  the  follow  iiiL^-:  -And  it 
is    heieliy    |iro\ided    that    till'   cert  iticah's   aiiilior- 

i/ed     l>y    this    seclioll     lo    he    isslU'd    a  fe    illlellded     to 

lie  mere  ceiiiticales  of  fa.ci.  and  shall   iioi   he  con- 

SlrUeil  lo  lie  cerliticates  of  delil,  ;iml  >|iall  not  lie 
recei\e(|    ol'    fece  i  \  ;  I  I  i  h  ■    ]t\     l||e    Slati'   of'    Ndluillia     ill 

ilischa  rue  of  a  n\    dehi   i  u-  oM  i-:!  t  ion  I  o  v;i  i,]   Slate 

for  which  cert  i!ie;|  II---  of  dehi  ;ir,'  receixaMe.' 
'i'lli^    [U'opoxil  lull     wa^     likewi'-e    rejecli'd. 

•■    I  1       W  av      I  hell      m(,\  eil       I  o      ;|.1,|      lo      1  !:,■      mid      of 

the  ihiril   seiiioii   the  following':     •  And   ii    i'^  [iro 
\  ideil      ihal      the     fuiidiii--     of     I  W  o  1  hil-d-     of     I  he 
honds,   siock>.   and    ci-ri  ili<aiev   afofevahh    is   an- 


lOS     A  Nfohi()(/nij)Jiij    of    JoJin    E.    Mfissctj 

thoi'izcd  and  liTaiitcd  only  upon  the  condition 
tliat  llie  o\\  iH'i-s  of  sncli  Itonds,  stocks,  and  cci-- 
tilicatcs  do  release  and  discliai'u't'  the  State  of 
\'ir^inia  fi-oin  all  liabilitv  (  if  any  exists)  to  ])ay 
the  reniaininu' one-third  thereof,  until  thei'e  shall 
have  been  a  linal  settlement  between  the  States 
of  \^iri;"inia  and  West  N'iruinia,  in  i-eii"ai*d  to  the 
public  debt  of  the  State  of  \'ii-,tz:inia  exist  inii'  at 
the  time  of  its  disnuMuberment.'  This  amend- 
ment did  not,  like  the  former,  ])ropose  to  releas(> 
the  State  of  Virginia  from  tho  unfunded  third 
forevei',  but  oiily  1o  exem])t  her  from  its  pay- 
ment until  she  had  a  tinal  settlement  with  ^^'est 
\'iriiinia.  Ihit  even  this  pro])ositiou  was  re- 
jectcMl. 

''  Here  \\'ei'e  ])ositive  and  rej)eated  I'efusals  to 
en^'raft  on  the  I'^undinn:  iJill  any  ])i-ovision  that 
would  dischai'U'e  the  State  of  Virucinia  from  lia- 
bility for  the  unfun<le(l  thii-<l.  IIo\\'  any  one,  wit  li 
all  the  facts  before  him,  can  Ixdieve  the  I'undiniu:: 
P>ill  i-educed  the  public  debt,  (U*  that  by  its  ac- 
ce])tance  the  bondholder  i-elincpiished  any  claim 
for  any  ])art  of  his  bond,  is  wholly  incom])re- 
hensible.  Here  wei'e  three  clear  and  detinite 
j)i'oj)osit  ions  made  with  a  view  of  settling"  this 
Nci'y  (piest  ion  : 

'*  I'ii'st.  That  ^'il•iJ,"inia  should  not  be  i'es])on- 
sible  in  any  manner  or  form,  or  at  any  time,  for 
the  cei't  ificates  of  indebtedness  issued  foi'  the  un- 
funded third,  ^'et  this  was  not  to  prejudice  the 
riiilit  of  the  holder  to  rec<i\-er  it  from  \\'<'st  \'ir- 
ujinia. 

"Second,  '■{'hat  these  cei't  i  tical  es  slmuld  'not 
be  construed  to  be  ceriiticates  (»f  debt.'  That  is, 
a.L^ainst    \'ir,u:inia. 

"Third.       That     \'ir<j,iuia    should    be    i-eleased 


'•  To  thf  I'rnph  of  Virn'min  "  10!» 

*  frdiii  all  liahility,  if  any  cxisi,*  to  j»ay  these 
eeiM  ilieates  until  she  shinihl  lia\c  a  liiial  seitle- 
inetil   with   West    \'ii'irii)ia. 

"  'I'lie   feject  iiill    uf   these    |  ifi  i[  k  isi  t  H  His    was    |»usi- 

tive  |ii'()()f  that  the  ffamers  df  the  i'liinliiii: Uill 
Ilevel-  illtelKJed  to  do  the  \eiy  tllillir  it  is  IKtW 
claimed    tiiev  did   do. 

"  'I'here  Ilinst  he  ol  hel'S  e\CIl  Iliofe  ii,qiofailt  of 
the     •(thjects,     Jtrillcijdes,     and     IHlflioses  "     of     the 

I'lmdinu'  l*>ill  than  those  that  afe  most  elamoi-- 
oiis  in  deiiotinciniJ:  il. 

"  Thefe  is  anothef  featUfe  of  this  sulijeet 
which  niiist  he  noticed.  Ueaf  in  mind  that  the 
ad\o(aIes  of  the  I'liinlinir  I'.ill  atlifm  thai  \"\v- 
irinia  was  liound  fof  tin-  full  amount  <d'  the  iionds 
;ii\t'n  hy  the  old  State  hefiU'e  hef  disnielllhel-- 
meiit.  hut  that  by  the  acce|iiance  of  the  pfo\i- 
sions  of  tiiat  hill  siie  was  feh'ased  fiom  all  lia- 
bility fof  one-tjiifd  of  the  old   bonds. 

•'  If  this  be  a  coffect  \  iew  of  the  subject,  then 
those  bondholdel'S  that  ha\e  ne\el-  accepted  the 
pfoNisioiis  of  the  I'undinLr  IJill  and  sui-feiidered 
tiieifold  bonds,  ha\e  not  feh-ased  \'ii-L;inia  fiom 
hef  lialiility  f(U"  any  jtaft  of  Iheif  boiid-^.  and 
she,  acciu'dinu:  to  .M  f.  Siuaii's  ihecu'y.  is  still 
Itoiind  fof  theif  fidl  amount.  Now.  about 
,X!>.(M)()J)()()  ,,f  the  debt  of  old  X'if-inia  af.-  siill 
in  ilie  ofiixinal  ImuhIs.  theif  liMbhis  ne\.f  haxiui: 
accepied  the  ]U'o\isions  of  the  l-'umlinLT  Hill. 
^'et.  .M  f .  Siuaii,  who  says  "of  an  e(|uiiab|e  ad- 
just men  i     of     the     J(ublic     debt,"     '1     di'     mi!      KlloW 

exactly   what    is  meant   by   this  lani:ua'j:c,"  sifikes 

oil'    <Uiel|iifd    of    this    .v.). (111(1. 00(1.    ;ii|,l     rrduce<    the 

Slate  debt    liy    thai    amount,   just    as   tliouudi    the 

whole    had    been    funded.        hoes    he    IKiI     Ulldeflake 

to  make  'an  eouilable  adiusimeiil  "   in   this  mat- 


110     Aiifohiofjraphy    of   John   E.    Masscy 

f(*i'?  Docs  he  intend  to  pny  tliose  old  bonds,  for 
tlie  whole  amount  of  which  he  says  Virginia  is 
hound?  If  so,  why  docs  he  strike  off  one-third 
of  tlicii'  amount  when  he  states  the  Amount  of 
the  State  debt?  lias  he  determincMl  not  to  pay 
this  one-third  of  those  bonds?  If  so,  he  must 
])ardon  me  for  sayini;  to  him  in  his  own  lan- 
p:ua,s2;c:  '  I  must  be  pardoned  for  sayini;  that,  in 
my  judijment,  there  is  a  very  narrow  line  of  dis- 
tinction between  repudiation  of  a  debt,  and  a 
determination  not  to  pay  it!  It  sounds  to  me 
\ovy  much  like  my  fri(Mid  ^Nlajor  Sutherlin's  dis- 
tinction between  a  horse  race  and  a  trial  of 
sjX'cd  between  two  blooded  horses  I' 

''I  am  not  advocatinjj;  th(^  ])ayment  of  this  re- 
jected third  of  these  old  l)onds,  or  of  the  un- 
funded third  of  those  that  have  been  surren- 
<lei'ed.  T  do  not  believe^  w(^  are  under  any  obli- 
gation whatever  to  ]>ay  either.  I  am  discussini; 
the  subject  uj)on  y\v.  Stuai'fs  theory.  Accord- 
in*;  to  his  theory,  I'efusal  to  pay  any  ])art  of  these 
bonds   is   virtual    i'e]»udiation. 

"  I  claim  that  A'ir^inia  may,  without  in  the 
sliij:htest  deirree  tai'uishinii;  her  briirht  escutch- 
e()n,  declare  that  she  is  neither  lepilly.  e(|uita- 
bly,  nor  morally  bound  for  this  one-third  of  the 
(leb(  of  ((Id  \'iri:'inia,  and  that,  therefort\  she  will 
not  j)ay  it. 

"  1  lielieve  we  may,  with  ecpial  propriety,  con- 
sidei-  all  ihe  cii'cumstances  throuirh  which  we 
1iii\"e  ]»ass<Ml.  ami  under  which  we  ai'c  called  on 
to  ]iay  llie  other  iwo-thirds  of  tliis  debt;  and 
ihcii  Iioiiestly  decide  for  ourseh'es,  according  to 
tlie  iimiinlable  ]»i'inciples  of  justice,  how  much, 
if  any,  of  this  deht  we  are  (Mpijtably  bound  to 
pay;  and    tiien   manfully  stand  by  what  we  be- 


"  7'o  I  Ik    rrojih   (,f  \'ir;iiiti<i  "  111 

Jit'Vf   t(i   l»t'  just    and    ri.ulit    I<>  (tiirsclvcs  and    to 

all    otlHTS. 

'•  Hut.  .Mr-.  Stuart  fcininds  us  that  the  Supivinc 
("(Uii'i  <>t'  .\|»iM'als  (»f  \'ii-;Li:iiiia  has  decided  that 
the  l'un<liuu'  I*'ill  i>^  :i  l»iu<liiiu'  ;ind  ii-fepealablf 
(■(luli-aet.  and  tliat  aiiv  feadjustineiit  of  the 
'Stale  deht  '  is,  therefi)fe,  i  IN  [m  )ssil)h'.  I  aui 
awafe  of  this  decision;  hut  1  am  also  awai'e  that 
it  was  not  reiidefe(l  hy  a  full  court  :  nor  con- 
cufi'ed  in  h,v  all  the  judi^^es  that  sat  on  it  ;  and  I 
am  fufiher  awai'e  thai  many  (d'  the  aides!  law- 
yers in  N'ii'Lrinia  concuf  in  the  \ie\\s  of  .ludi^e 
Stajdes.  who  dissented  from  the  ojdnion  of  a 
majority   ><(  the  court    that    decide(l    the  case. 

••There  are,  undeiiiahly,  serious  ditlicullies  in 
the  way,  lull  if  wi-  are  true  to  ours(d\t's,  and  se- 
lect an  e\ecuti\-e  and  a  let^-islat  ure  that  will 
fairly  and  faithfully  reflect  the  sentiments  of 
what  I  he|ie\-e  to  he  a  hiru'e  mai(U'ity  of  the  peo- 
|i|e  of  \'irLrinia,  these  ditliculties  may  he  sur- 
mounte(l  without  either  hraiich  of  the  ^o\ern- 
iiii'iii  encroaidiiiiL:;  ui)oii  the  functions  of  tlu' 
ol  hei". 

••What  is  the  j)resenl  amount  of  the  'State 
deht  •? 

••('areful  examinal  i(Ui.  two  years  airo,  satis- 
tieij  nie  that  the  whole  <h'hl,  funded  and  un- 
funded, then  due,  imdudiiiLT  pi'incipal  and  inter- 
est, aiiiiiunied  Im  mure  than  lifiy  three  millions 
of  dnllars.  Since  that  time  it  has  increased,  as 
neai'ly  as  I  can  ap|U'o\imate  it,  hy  the  accumu- 
lation iif  iniei'csi  in  excess  of  what  has  heen 
paid  (Ui  accMiml  id"  inli-resi,  to  ahoul  tifty-six 
and  a  half  millii'ns.  If  wc  de<luci  luie  third  i>f 
this,  as  West  N'ii'Lrini.'i's  porti(Ui,  it  still  leaves 
the  sum    of   thiri\  se\en   and    a    half   milli(Uis  of 


Ill*     Aulo]}i<>(ini}>Jii/    of    John    K.    M<isx()/ 

(lolhii's  ;is  A'iruiiiia's  portion.  Slic  is  also  Ijoiind, 
as  uuai-antor  of  bonds  of  llie  ( MicsaitcaJce  and 
()liio  ("anal  ('oin])any.  for  s:{()(),()0().  wiili  interest 
thereon  from  1S(W.  Tims,  \vliile  otiieial  reports 
rejtresent  a  sliiiiit  decrease  of  the  princi])al  of 
the  debt.  1)_\'  the  of»erations  of  the  sinking' 
fnnd,  the  debt  is,  in  realiiv,  larirely  iiiereasini; 
b\-  tjie  accumnlat  ion  of  inter(>st.  Xoi'  is  this 
ail. 

"To  ]»ay  interest  on  this  de1»t  and  meet  the 
cnrreiit  exjtenses  of  the  i^overnment  s;>().(M)()  have 
been  boi-rowed  from  th<'  .Miller  fnnd,  sl'OO.OOO 
fi'om  baidvs,  and  s:)S-,7.')2.iM;  of  the  jinblie  fi-ee 
school  fnnds  ha\'e  been  nsed.  All  these  snms, 
with  tlieir  accrnini;  interest,  except  8100,000 
paid  to  banks,  are  y<'t   nn]>aid. 

"  ^Vllen  at  this  T'ate  will   the  debt  be  j)aid? 

"In  a  ])amj»hlet  pnblished  two  years  a^o,  I 
nndei-took  to  show  that  the  cnrrent  ex])enses  of 
the  ,u"o\('i'nment  conld  not  be  met,  and  fall  inter- 
est ])aid  on  the  two-thirds  of  the  debt,  that  ^\as 
claimed  to  be  ^'il•^■inia■s  ]ioi't  ion,  wilhont  lari:'(dy 
increasiiiL::  laxes;  that  the  jieoplc  wei-e  in  no 
condition  to  beai'  such  an  increase,  and,  conse- 
(piently,  that  tliei-c  mnst  be  a  dilVerent  adjnst- 
nu'Tit  of  the  debt.  .My  ])osiiion  N\as  stontly  con- 
ti'overted,  and  tlie  peojde  were  assnre(l  that, 
A\ithont  any  increase  of  taxes,  the  incT'casini::  I'e- 
sonrces  of  the  State  wonld  sixm  enable  her  to 
meet  all  liei-  cni'rent  expenses  and  pay  fall  in- 
terest   npoti   her  eilt  ire  debt . 

"We  ha\e  seen  that  instead  of  this  ])romise 
beiiiL!:  fulfilled  that  my  posit  inn  has  been  fnlly 
\indicated. 

"lla\('  A' irii.'i Ilia's  resources  increased  in  the 
same  ratio  that    her  debt   has? 


'■  V'o  till    I'lojih    iif    \"niiiiila  "  1111 


•'  Tlir    Jissrsscd     \;illlr    nf    I  lie    l;i\;llili'    lirnpi'lIV 

(»f   I  he   Si;iir   ill    \>~\    \\;is  si'.i'.c.f.s  i .  |;;;;.L':'..      ll 

is  IliiW  S;l  1  7,7  I  d.^."!!.'.!.").  Tlllis  we  sec  lluit  tlic 
;|vsc>si'(|  \;llllc  (if  llir  I;l\;lli|i'  [iIm])cII\  of  \' i  I'- 
;^illi;l  li;is  (lc(  Tcnscil  Id  llir  ;iiiiiiiiiil  of  S  ]  S,;»7;'..- 
r>S().}S  since  1>7I,  while  llie  i  mlelil  ed  liess  li;is  ill- 
creiised    fullv    llil-ee    liiiilidlis  (if  (l(»li;irs. 

"   \\'li;il      is    lo    lie    (Idlie? 

••Ml'.  SlUiirt  tells  Vdll  lli;il  lie  was  elected  1(» 
the  leuislal  life  fdllf  Vears  aiTii  '  with  especial  ref- 
erence to  the  tiiiaiicial  d  iHiciili  ies  nf  the  State.' 
and  that  he  •was  desiLina  te(l  as  chaii'nian  of  the 
('dininitlee  df  I'inancf-."  lie  held  this  position  fof 
thfee  ses--idns:  and  I  can  heaf  tesiinidiiy  to  the 
ahiliiy  an<l  fidelity  with  which  he  tilled  it.  Ills 
iri-eat  inii'einiity  was  taxed  to  its  ntinost  capacity 
t(»  tind  new  snltjecis  of  taxation  and  i:et  nmre 
money  ffoiii  the  pi'ople.  \r\,  niidef  his  aide 
leadeislii[i,  the  State  has  lieeil  lllialde  to  make 
the  nece>v;ii-y  a | ipfo pi'ia t  io II s  to  lief  |nil)lic  in- 
siitniidiis;  Iiiindfe(ls  of  pddi-  nnfofiiinate  luna- 
tics a  fe  now  con  lined  in  the  ja  ils  of  the  (  "oinnion- 
wcallli  fof  the  want  of  adeipiate  accommo(la- 
tions    in    oiir   asylums;    the   delil    ha^    lieeii    reL:ii- 

lafly  illcfeaviiiL:  and  the  I-esoUl'ces  ot'  the  Slate 
decl'eavinu'.     while     the     people    lia\e    licell     lilefally 

L:roaninL:'  nndei-  the  almosi  iiivuppdiMalde  lnif- 
deii^   df   laxatioii    they    lia\c   had    to    hear. 

••What  are  the  provp,-cis  foi-  the  fniur-e".'  .Mr. 
Slnaii  tells  \dii  ihe  •  tax  on  ihe  coii^iimpiioii  of 
ar'deiil  spirit^,  ii  is  liclie\C(|,  will  add  several 
hundre'l  !lioi|v;iii,j  ddljai^  id  ihe  re\enne  now  de- 
rived   frdiii   I  ha  I    sdiii'ce.' 

•'This  is;iii  iiiiii-ie<|  experiiiifnl  and  nian\  he- 
lievc  il^  friend^  are  dddiiied  id  signal  di^ap|Hiini- 
nieiit.      Shdiild    it     meet    I  heir    expectations    and 


114     Autohiograpliy    of   John   E.    Masscy 

materially  increase  tlie  revenue,  the  next  step 
will  be  a  (•orres])()nding  rednetion  of  taxable 
property.  Many  who  sn])i)orte(l  the  measure  did 
so  in  the  interest  of  the  taxj)ayer  and  not  of  the 
bondholder. 

''  The  expenses  of  tlie  government  doubtless 
will,  and  ought  to  be,  lessened  under  the  ojK'r- 
ations  of  the  late  amendments  to  the  Constitu- 
tion. But  the  j)eople  of  Virginia  are  entitled 
to,  and  ought  to  demand,  a  corresponding  re- 
duction of  their  taxes, 

''They  are  now  i)aying  annually  in  the  sliape 
of  State,  county,  district,  and  Federal  taxes, 
nearly  eighteen  and  a  half  million  dollars.  This 
is  nearly  six  i)er  cent,  of  the  assess(Hl  value  of 
the  taxable  property  of  the  State.  No  people 
can  bear  «uch  a  drain  long  without  being  re- 
duced to  poverty. 

''  Fellow-citizens,  there  is  virtue  and  heroism 
in  patiently  bearing  evils  that  we  cannot  help, 
but  it  is  unmanly  to  submit  to  injustice  when 
the  remedy  for  it  is  in  our  own  hands.  You 
are  not  only  sulVering  injustice  youi-selves,  l»ut 
your  inactivity  may  ti-ansmit  it  to  your  childi-en 
aiul  gi'andchildren.  The  I'cmedy  is  in  your 
hands.  Ivcmember,  jieace  has  liei-  \ictori('s  no 
less  than  war.  You  may,  if  you  will,  achieve  a 
victoi'y  at  the  a])proac]iing  State  election,  which 
you  and  your  children  may  look  back  to  with 
])i'ide  and  ])leasure.  \\'ill  you  do  it?  Let  each 
man  determine  to  <lo  his  pai't,  and  victory  is 
certain. 

''  \'('iy  i'es])('ci  fully, 

"  \nuv   fcllow-cit  izen. 

"Ash  Lawn,  Va..  "doiix  E.  .Masskv. 

"  June  '27,  isTT." 


."  7'o  tlir  P(  opir  of  Virijln'ui  "  1 1."» 

Hull.  I{.  M.  T.  lliintiT  wi'iitc  an  article  U>y  the 
Kiihiuund  W  hi;/,  in  which  he  showcii  the  neces- 
sity either  of  a  c<tiii|)n)iiiise  i>f  the  State  (ieid  ur 
nf  a  hif^e  increase  of  the  i-ate  of  taxation.  'I'he 
iiici-ease   of  ta.\ati(»n    he  did    not    tiiink    the   lax- 

Jtavers   would,   of  could,    heaf.      The   coilillients   (tf 

the    11///'/  on   .Mf.   Ihintef's   letter  caused   nie  to 
rejily  lo  it  as  follow  s  : 


"Mf.  I'ditof:  My  attention  has  just  lieeii 
called  to  youi-  editofial  and  lion.  K.  .M .  T. 
Iliintei-"s  lettef  ill  the  U 7/ /'//  of  the  loth  iii-^laiit, 
and  wit  h  yoiii' jM-riiiissiou,  1  will  say  a  few  words 
wit  h    referelK-e   to  each. 

"  ^'oUI■    editofial    jfUts   an   eniifcly    new    jijiase 

upon     the     Jiassaiie,     |iUI|(ose,     ami     el'tect      of     the 

I'undini:  Hill.  The  \iews  you  ad\ance  a  ic  eii- 
tifely  new  to  many  of  youf  feaders.  ^'ou  say: 
*'i'hi<  act  (the  {"umlin;:  llilli  u|hiii  the  [lart  of 
the  Slate  was  an  afliitfafy  one.  Sje-  said  to  the 
liel|dess  cfe(lilof,  lake  I  lie  bond  olfefed  fof  youf 
•  hill,     feduced     ojie-lhil-d.     and      the     inlel-csl      will 

be  paid  iiuiiciually;  if  not.  you  shall  he  jiaid 
nothing'.  As  judi:e  and  jniw.  the  Si  at'-  dri.'f- 
minrd  the  casi-.     The  cfedilof  had  no  ojiiiou  Inn 

to    accept     the    IcI'inS    of    to    fetain     the    I'e]nhlialed 

ofi filial   Iximl.' 

•■  \'(nif  ftadei's  will  he  sufiui-id  to  |c;ii-n  that 
the  I'umliiiu^  i'dll  wa^  jiassed  in  the  inieroi  of 
the  Slate.  ;inii  will  he  anxious  to  know  when 
and  how  you  madf  thi^  disroMTy.  Thfy  have 
hitlii-rio  lM-lif\,-d  i(  \\a<  conei'ixrd.  pi-rjia  fed.  and 
parsed  in  the  inliU'esI  of  the  homllnihhi-.  This 
belief  hllS  been  So  loui:  aiid  so  lifinly  held  that 
it     will    fequife    SoIUe    (widelicf    lo    the    coUIfafy    to 

chatitre  it.      Its  jKis.vai^e   was  not    only  a  sufpfise 


IK)     Autobiography    of    John   E.    Masscy 

but  a  uricf  to  the  ])i'<)i)](»  of  Viri^iiiia,  and  bj  al- 
most uiii)i(M('(l('iit(Ml  majorities  they  sent  men 
to  I  lie  next  h'^islatni'e  instructed  to  re])eal  it. 

"  "\'ou  say:  'The  (leneral  Assend)ly  lias  seen 
])ro])ei'  to  act,  and  has  substantially  declared, 
by  a  solemnly  enacted  law,  that  one-third  of  the 
bonded  debt  of  the  State  created  prior  to  the 
war  she  would  not  l)ay/ 

"  If  you  are  ri^yht  in  this,  then  the  (General 
Assend)ly  of  Virjiinia  that  passed  the  Fundinj^ 
l>ill  rejjudiated  directly  one-third  of  the  public 
debt,  and,  constructively,  all  of  the  oriii^inal 
bonds  that  were  not  exchanged  for  new  bonds  for 
two-thirds  of  their  amounts. 

"  If  this  be  so,  why  were  certilieates  of  in- 
debtedness issued  by  the  State  for  this  repudiated 
third?  Why  are  those  certificates  still  on  the 
market  as  '  Vii'iiinia  deferred'?  and  why  are 
two-thirds  of  those  'rejnidiated  ori^nnal  bonds' 
still  estin)ate(l  as  ])art  of  the  ])resent  State  debt? 
Your  complaint  of  the  inequality  existing?  be- 
tween the  holders  of  ditVerent  kinds  of  bonds, 
and  the  injustice  of  allowing  tlu'  holders  of  one 
class  to  collect  the  interest  due  on  theirs,  while 
the  holders  of  other  classes  ^'et  no  interest  (tn 
theirs,  is  just.  Uut,  I  submit,  the  res]tonsibility 
for  this  wronu"  and  injustice  rests  u]»on  those 
that  coinmittecl  it  in  the  ])assaji:e  of  the  l-'undini; 
]>ill,  and  not  upon  those  that  arrested  its  further 
T'uinous  o])ei'a1  ions.  You  su.u'm'st  taxinu"  'whis- 
key and  dous '  as  a  means  of  i-aisinir  suflicicnt 
revenue  to  j)ay  interest  on  the  Slate  debt.  I 
^^•ould,  if  in  my  ])ower,  tax  whiskey  out  of  ex- 
istence. .\s  this  cannot  be  done,  then  bell  it 
and  ])uncli  it  wherevei-  it  a])i)eai's,  <'ither  ojieidy 
or   in    its    dark    caverns.      Hut    it    must  be   ])()or 


'•  Tn  (hi   !'(  iijth   I, I  \  iri/liiid  "  111 

(•(iiiifiirt  I(»  lilt'  hdiHlhuIilt'i's  Id  lie  lulil  ihat  they 
iiiiisi  ifly  uiioii  •whiskey  jiiul  dn^s'  fur  the  |'ay- 
iiH'iil  iif  ilicii-  Itdiids.  li  is  \iriu;illy  >;iyinii"  ti» 
ilifiii.  wliicli  is  ri-jilly  tlir  ciisc,  •  TIk'  [u-rsi'iit  rati' 
i)f  ta\ati<iii  uiMiii  the  |U'()[icily  n\'  ihr  Siaic  will 
iicM'i"  i)ay  yoiir  Iximls,  and  iid  i:ii'alrr  i-aic  of 
laxalioii  can  Im-  hdiair  di'  will  Im-  impdsrd:  and 
unless  ymi  iiiakc  a  lair  cdinprdinisc  yoii  must 
Iddk  Id  wliiskry  and  ildus  fdi-  ydur  nidncy.'  A 
Iicaui  iful    alicrnal  i\  t- ! 

"Mr.  llunicr.  diic  of  N'iririnia's  aldrsi  stales- 
men  and  i:  Tea  I  est  tinauciei-s.  liaxiui:  snnlied  the 
snlijeci  in  all  its  heaiinus  ami  lia\ini:'  \iewiMl  it 
fi'dui  e\i'ry  sland|»oint,  jtrd]Miscs  to  meet  it 
sijiiarely  and  faiily,  and  to  reme(ly  the  e\il,  ni»l 
liy  merely  irealiULT  the  de\ cldltnienls  the  elTects 
df  I  lie  disease  liul  1)\  el-ad  ill! !  illLl"  the  disease 
itself;  iidl  liy  reiiidxiiiLi'  lln'  t'\il  fruil  frdiii  ilie 
tree,  liul  li\  iiliiekiiiLr  u|»  ils  lodts;  Udi  Wy  uloss- 
im:  d\t'r  and  hilling  frdin  \  iew  I  lie  faeis  as  lliey 
exist,  liiii  liy  a  frank  exiMisitidii  of  tlieiii.  and  a 
ma  Illy   cdii  rse   in    nieei  iu^^   t  hem. 

•'  .\li'.  llunier's  htler  is  frank,  dear,  aide,  and 
sialesmanlike.  lie  has  eiiliiled  himself  to  the 
m'aiiiiide  df  the  pfdjile  (d"  \'iruini;i  hy  wriiini: 
it.  and  the  ("e'lieral  .X^'-iMiiMy  will  eiiiiile  itself 
Id  their  Liraliiude  hy  heariily  cd  djierai  iiiLT  with 
him    in    his    iidhle   |iiir|M)vc^   and   eiiKris. 

"   \\-V\      n'^Jieil  fill  l\ . 

••  .lull  \     i;.    .MAssi'.V."" 


(^IIAPTEK    IX 

(JOVKUNOU    riKUroNT'S    VIEWS 

Tin:  following::  lot  lor  fi-oiu  Ex-CJovcrnor  Pior- 
pont,  of  West  Virii'inia,  slates  so  iira])liically  tlie 
condition  of  Viri^inia  before  llic  war,  the  <laina<j!^e 
slie  sntfercd  ])y  tlie  war,  and  licr  inii)overislied 
condition  after  the  war;  and  reasons  so  logically 
abont  tlie  rehitive  conditions  and  i-eciproeal  du- 
ties of  boiidhol(h'rs  and  non-bondliohlers,  tliat  it 
makes  a  ^'alnal)h'  conti'ibntion  to  tlie  history  of 
the  war  and  reconstrnetion  : 

''To  tlH^  Editor  of  the  Whi;/:  Tt  is  the  de- 
siii'ii  of  this  article  to  ]>i-esent  some  views  on 
the  j'elations  of  Viriiiiiia.  West  \'ii-_uinia,  and 
the  (lovej-niiKMit  of  tlie  rnite(l  States,  to  the  old 
State  debt  of  A'iriiiiiia.  TIk^  views  j)i'esented 
^\'ill  be  based  on  the  facts  of  history  and  con- 
clusions di-awn.  without  intendinu*  harshly  to  re- 
llect  on  anybody.  lioj)inii;  thai  it  may  lead  to  a 
bettei'  understamliim-  of  the  (|uestioTis   involved. 

"In  lS(iO  N'ii'uiuia  was  a  lia])j>y,  ])ros])eT'ous 
romiiioiiwealt  h  ;  i-ich  in  laud.  a!j,"ricultui'al  im- 
]troveiiieiits  and  ])ro(liicls.  in  sla\"es  and  inter- 
nal iiii])i-ovements,  in  her  stocks,  hei*  bonds, 
baii]<s.  and  money  and  commerce,  and  the  iiiide- 
vebi|M'd  I'esoiirces  of  the  Slate;  ])roud  of  her 
honorable  traditions  and  of  the  history  of  her 
j^H'eat  men.  All  these  constituted  the  basis  on 
which  cre(lii  was  ^-ixcn  the  State  in  loans  of 
money,    for   which    her  bonds   were   issm'd ;  and 

IIH 


(lonrnor    Pit  rjinnt's     \ifus  119 

liiil  fill'  I  lit'  (it'st  nicl  itiii  of  her  iii.-itcrial  iiilrrcsls, 
IKi    (jUfSlinli    would    <'\ci'    li;i\('    licrii     Ijiiscd    ;is    to 

the  (layiiicin  of  iiiin-csi  ami  iii'iii(i|ial  t>\'  ihc 
Siatr   itoinls. 

"  Hut  lilt'  fvil  liiiur  caiiif.  ilt-r  j»('(i|ilt'  tis- 
tcm-il  !i>  sM'au^t'  cdUMscls.  Au  fxiia  si-ssiuii  of 
tilt'  Iciiislal  ufi'  was  fallftl;  il  calli-tl  a  State  fou- 
MMiiiiui;  till'  coHN  fill  iou  passfd  au  lU'iliuautf  of 
si'cfssiou  (Ui  llii'  ITlli  tif  AjU'iK  iMil  ;  (n\  tin-  L'iM 
of  till'  sauii'  uioutli.  till'  cons  I'lit  i(Ui  raiiliftl  tlio 
( 'oiisi  it  UI  iou  of  till'  ( "oufi'ilci-alt"  Sialcs.  ami  ou 
the  Till  of  .Mav,  ISCI.  thf  ("oiiuffss  of  ihc  ( 'ou- 
ffticfntc  Sialfs  ]iasst'(l  an  act  atliiiiiiiiiu'  ilif  ( 'oiii- 
imuiu  fall  II  of  X'ii'uinia  as  oiu'  of  iln'  ( 'lUiffdi-raii' 
Sialfs  of  AiiiiTita.  IIit  iic(>|di'  WfPt'  oruaui/.cil 
for  iiiiliiar\'  ctiiitlict  with  iIh-  aiiiiv  of  ilif  I'liiou 
licfon-  tilt'  foiirlli  'idiurstlav  in  .\lav.  Ixil.  w  lifu 
llif  iM'tliiiaiiff  of  sffi'ssioii  was  to  lif  \(iii'il  upon 
liV    t  111'    pco[dr    of    I  lit-   Stall'. 

••'rill'  riTol  Ifci  ion  (tf  ilii-sr  f\riiis  apjicars  like 
a  iiivili.  ilui  il  was  a  solriiin  rraliiv  lo  ihc 
Stall'.  'i'lii'  ai'iiiii's  of  ilir  iwo  coiii  riid  inu'  src- 
tioiis  (if  I  hi-  naiioii  nii'i  on  liai  lie  lirld>  wiiliin 
lid-  ii-rriiory.  for  four  vi-ars  ihoc  arniirs 
iiiarflicd  and  roiml  frnia  rrlird.  and  foiiuhi  within 
lii'i-  lioiiiularii's.  iiniil  llir  ri^'Uirrcs  of  the  iwo 
srilioiis  wcfi-  iirarly  fxlia  iisIimI.  hi  this  con- 
tlirl  ilif  uicalrr  pari  of  ilir  wralili  of  \\],-  Si  a  If 
was  dcvi  ro\  cd.  I'ciirrs  a  lid  fori'siv  wi-rc  swrpt 
away.  I,i\i'  slock  of  csi-ry  kind  wa^  (■on^niiicd 
or  dri\i'ii  away.  Si'\  niiy  ti\  i-  •j:v\<\  iiiillv  with 
lln'ir  roiilfiii^.  and  two  ilioiisand  liarns  wiili 
wheal    and    a  miriil  I  u  ra  1    i  in  pleiiieui  >,    were   made 

food     fi'l-     the    deXoiirillL:'     tialllev     in     ;|     single     laill- 

jiaiL:n.  Two  hnmlred  ;iiid  lifi\  million  dolhu's" 
worth   of  >la\es   were  eiiiaiuipaied.      .Millions  of 


120     Autohiography    of    John    E.    Mdssnj 

bank  stock  and  bank  pajx'!*,  mill  ions  of  railroad 
stocks,  all  bccanic  worthless.  IJltlc  was  left  of 
her  railroads  but  the  road-beds.  The  crowirmi:; 
loss  was  the  conunercial  poi'tion  of  her  iiietro- 
])olitan  city,  which  contained  most  of  the  ])ro- 
visi(nis  of  the  State,  left  at  the  time.  So  «i;reat 
had  been  the  drain  on  the  liviiiii'  of  the  ])eo])le, 
and  the  destruction  of  projx'rty,  that  but  for 
fortuitous  circumstances,  famine  and  ]>estilence 
must  have  followed  in  the  track  of  the  wai*. 
Add  to  this,  thousands  of  men  in  the  bloom  of 
youth,  and  prime  of  luanhood,  had  fallen  on  the 
battle-fields,  or  in  hos])itals,  or  were  wounded  for 
life.  This  was  war  in  all  its  realities.  It  came 
suddenly  and  unex])ectedly,  as  most  wars  do. 
Why  it  came  I  leave  to  the  casuist.  It  is  not  my 
])urpose  to  censure  anybody.  >\'ar  is  an  inci- 
dent to  humanity,  as  much  so  as  measles  and 
small-]>ox. 

"At  the  commeiu-ement  of  the  war,  or  at  the 
close,  it  has  been  stated  that  eiiihty  ])eT'  cent, 
of  the  State  bonds  were  held  in  \'ir,i;inia.  All 
the  ])eo])le  in  the  bounds  of  the  Slate,  as  it  now 
is,  \\ith  sinii'ulai'  unanimity,  en,u"a,u"ed  in  the 
W'dV  of  secession,  oi'  i-ebellion,  with  but  few  ex- 
ceptions, bondholders  and  non-bondlioldei's 
j)led<j:ed  to  each  othei'  their  lives  and  fortunes  for 
the  success  of  the  undertakini.i'.  The  entei-|»i'ise 
failed,  but  in  its  j)i'osecut  ion  all  the  losses  oc- 
curi'ed  to  the  ]H'o]>le  to  which  I'cfej'eiice  has  been 
made.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  in  iSC."'),  the  bond- 
liobler  did  not  tliinl<  of  demanding  interest  (U* 
])rinci])al,  for  the  simph-  reason,  tliat  from  the 
impo\"erished  condition  of  the  Slate,  he  knew 
that  it  was  im])ossible  for  the  people  to  pay.  In 
])rocess  of  time   h<'  came,  stealthily,  still   know- 


dorirnor    I'irrpont's     \'icirs  121 

iii;^'  ilic  in;il»iliiy  uf  ilic  jicuj)!!'  to  ]y.\\  the  intcr- 
t'si.  and  asked  that  it  iiiiirlii  he  fuiidfd  into  ;i 
iM-u  tioiid.  'I'lic  answer  sliuuld  Iiavc  tircn,  "  ( 'on- 
tiitiuli-  to  iMii'  losses  and  we  will  pay  your  l>ond. 
if  not.  reduce  voui'  liond  in  jiroportion  to  (»ur 
losses  and  we  will  |iay  the  residue,  if  any.' 
This  would  ha\'e  been  siinjily  an  e(|uital)le  de- 
mand for  e(|uitalde  eoni  riluit  ion  foi-  losses,  in  a 
conmion   cause   eULTau'ed    in    hy   hondlndders  an<l 

peiilile. 

■• 'The  honillidldei'  jioints  to  the  I'e<lei-al  and 
Stale   ( "oust  it  ut  ions   in    I'cLiard    to  the  oldiL''ali<ui 

iif  contracts;  the   j jde  can   ]»oini    to  the  same 

( 'oust  iiui  i(Uis  ;i:iiaranteeinix  to  them  their  lci;al 
and  eipiitalde  riuhis  to  all  the  iii'o]>ei-ty  wjiicli 
was  <Jesiroyed.  'jdie  riiiht  of  the  ow  iut-  of  liie 
;:risi  mill  that  was  huiaii  in  the  ju'osecuiion  (»f 
the  wai*  was  just  as  clear  and  indisj)utalde  as 
the  riulit  (d"  the  iioldef  of  a  N'iru'iiiia  hond  was 
to  his  hond. 

"r^urthcT',  by  an  amendment  of  the  ('onstitu- 
tion  (if  the  riiiied  States,  it  is  prit\ided  that 
no  coiiipens.it  idii  shall  he  made  f(U'  any  sla\f' 
emancipated,  m-  foi*  any  liahiliiy  iucuri'ed  in  su])- 

Jioi't      n\'     the     relii'llioli.  The      ("nUuress      of       the 

I'niled  Stales  l:;is.  ;ilso.  decided  that  no  citi/ell, 
Ioy;il     iir    i|is|((y;il.    has    ;iny    el;iiiii    on    the    I'lUted 

Stall's  fur  pi-opcrly  desii-nyed  in  the  prosecution 
11  f   the   wai'. 

•'  \"i!'i:!nia  slmuld  m-xei-  ha\-e  airrccd  to  j>ay 
oin-  ci'ni  nil  the  delii.  until  the  liiindlHpJders  haii 
airi'cid  to  :i  f;iii-  ;ind  ••ipiiiaMe  coiil  rilmt  ion  to 
hi-  deducted  from  his  Iioml.  in  |ii'opoi-t  inn  to  the 
jdsvcs  of  i.ixalile  propeiMy.  sustained  hy  the 
jieiiple.  'i'lii'i'e  is  iHi  I'epud  ia  I  i  i  ui  attout  this;  it 
simply    ju'oposes   eipiitahle   coni  rihut  ion. 


122     Aulohiof/rapJiij    of    John    E.    Masscij 

"As  io  tlu'  sliai'o  W(^st  Vii'u:inia  is  to  ])ay : 
williDUl  u-oitiii'  into  dolails.  it  may  Ix'  said  tliat 
tli.'i'c  is  a  i)i'('val('Tit  ()])iMioii  ainoiiij  tlio  Ix'st 
iiifoniicd  men  in  tlic  State  tliat  in  (Minity  West, 
\'ii'ii,inia  owes  Itnt  little,  if  any,  on  the  old  State 
deht.  That  abont  all  the  money,  foi'  which  the 
bonds  \\ere  uix'en,  was  exju'n(le(l  in  what  is  now 
the  honnds  (d'  \'iru'inia.  lint  West  Vii'i^inia  has 
not  altility  to  ])ay  on  the  State  debt.  Her  taxes 
ai'e  a1)ont  the  same  on  the  dollar  as  in  ^'il'^•inia, 
ami  the  ])eo]de  fe(d  this  a  l)nrden.  They  aiv 
not  in  eondition  to  pay  heavy  taxes.  All  the 
land  in  the  State  at  the  time  of  the  division 
was  taxed  at  less  than  si  (10,000.00(1,  and  now 
aftei-  a  (|nai'tei'  of  a  centni'y,  with  thi'ee  oi'  four 
\alnations,  it  has  md  inci-i'ascd  2.")  ])eT'  cent. 
.Mni'c  than  onedialf  of  the  land  in  the  State  is 
valued  at  abont  one  ddllai-  and  sixty  cents  ])ei' 
acre;  one-sixth  of  the  State  ]>ays  foni'-sevenths 
of  the  taxes.  She  has  one  city  of  ;')0.000  ])eo]d(\ 
I  lei'  ca])ita!  has  a  little  ovei-  1000.  two  other 
towns  of  oNCT'  oOOO  ea(di.  and  the  residne  villages 
of  from  100  to  2000  oi-  .".OOO  inhabitants.  There 
may  lie  one  blast  fniaiace  ontside  of  ^\'he(din;J:: 
in  o]»eration.  All  the  others  ai'e  in  or  near 
WhecdiiiiT,  and  there  they  ijfet  their  crnde  ore, 
co]<e.  and  limestone  fi-om  other  States.  Then^ 
ai'e  some  coal  mines  in  the  State,  but  most  of 
(hem  are  owned  liy  absentees;  and  whate\-er  is 
made  at  the  mines  is  taken  ont  of  the  State  t(i 
be  ta\e(l.  There  ai'e  laru"e  forests  of  timber  in 
the  Siati':  of  these,  those  that  are  coincnient 
to  railroads  or  na\iuable  streams  are  beiiiL!;  <'nt 
otf  and  carried  out  of  the  State  to  be  manii- 
faciuriMl.  but  this  does  not  increase  the  taxable 
\aliie  of  the  land.     A   lai'U'e  amount   of  the  com- 


d'orrrnor    Pi'  rjinnCs     ^'^nrs  \2^ 


iiHTcial  iind  iii;innf;iil  uriii;:  wr.-iltli  of  the  State 
is  ill  the  citv  of  W'licclirii:-  A  In'a\v  iiici'i-asc  in 
ta.\r^  wiiiild  tcinl  t(t  (Ifixc  llic  [ilaiiis  tlici't-  acfftss 
till'  (>liiii  IIi\('f.  A  unit  li'inaii  i>f  liiL^i  iiitdli- 
i^fiici'.  ami  \\li(»  lias  had  (•]>[•(  nM  ii  nit  v  df  kIl(l\\iIlL^ 
and    lias    finlirarcd    that    (iii|Miri  imii  y,    stated    in 

till-     jtfcMMlrc     (if    the     Wiatrf    ;i     short      tittle     sillre, 

that  ii|H)n  an  e(|nitaMe  set  t  leiiieiil  hciwccii  the 
twi)  Slates,  takinir  into  aeeoiint  feecijits  and  dis- 
liiifsciiifiit s.  West  \'ifL,Mnia  would  nut  owe  one 
rent,  and  he  thoiiLiilt  the  lialatlee  would  111' 
aLMinst  the  i)]<j  State,  "i'liis  is  a  iii'iici'al  ini- 
]»fessi(in  anioni:-  the  jieojde.  Would  W'cvi  \'ir-- 
Lrinia  sulunii  the  niattei'  to  ai-Idt  fat  ion?  ( "ef- 
tainly  iioi.  \o  luiideiit  man  would  suluiiil  a 
iiiattfi'  of  di'iiiand  to  afldt  i-at  ion.  when  ln'  was 
satislii-d  that  he  did  not  owe  anyihini:.  and  lam 
till'  ]■']<]<  of  liriiiLr  adjudii'i'd  to  jia_\'  a  lafu'o  sum 
hy  till'  consci-Nat  ism.  if  noihiim'  worsr.  of  tlu' 
afhit  i-atofs.  'I'liis  is  ahout  the  sentiment  of  West 
X'ifLdnia  on  the  suhjcct.  on  this  asjifct  of  the 
ease. 

"  In    fart,    the    fi-latioii    of    W'cvi     \'ii'uinia    to 
the  Stair  (h'lii    is  a    iioliiical   ridatioii.      It    has   no 
li'iral   or  f(|uital)li'  as|M'(t.  as  if   the  ili\i>ion    had 
lakfii    plaii-    in    tiiiir    of    peace,    as    a    ei\il    tfans 
action.      ■  The   I'evnu'ed    l:o\  i-fuinent    of   \' iruinia  ' 

Wa-^     J-ecdLilii/ed     hy     the     rfe-^idelll      of     the     ruileil 

States  a>  the  Ic^mI  State  li'o\  I'fiimeiit  on  the 
L'oth  of  .llHle.  I^f.l.  At  the  saiiie  time  the  I'resi- 
dent  C-lHeij  U|iMn  the  (loNel'llol-  f  (  .  T  \olunteer 
tI'oo|iv      fur     the      rililed      Slates     .\iniy.      fei]  UevI  i  n<_r 

him  to  coiiiui  ivNiMii  the  c(iiii|iany  ami  tidd  i  reLri- 
meiiiah  otVuefs.  I'tidi-r  ilii^  and  sulisiMpient 
call.-,  the  (iiimiies  of  West  X'ii'Li'itiia  furnished 
ne;ii'|y  ;;.".(»(i()  iioojis  lo  ihe  rnimi  .\rmy.     These 


124     A  iit')hi(>(/r(ij>]n/    of    -John    JJ.    M(iss()/ 

were  ;is  In'Jivc  soldiers  as  ever  trod  a  bai tlc-ficld. 
They  foiiulil  in  nearly  e\-ery  bat  lie  from  lMiilij»])i 
to  Apjtoiiiat  tox.  Ill  luiinbei*  and  \alor,  too.  they 
wci'e  {'([ual  to  nearly  one-half  (ieiieral  Lee's 
army  at  Anlietam,  and  (Mpial  to  his  army  at 
A  j»i)omat  tox.  in  addition  to  this,  the  counties 
of  West  N'iriiinia  ])aid  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
dollars  of  b(uinty  to  her  soldiers. 

"Adoptinu'  the  idea  of  West  \'ir,i,nnia"s  lia- 
bility for  the  State  debt:  If  the  President  of 
tli(^  Tnited  States  had  addressed  the  army  of 
^\'est  \'iri!:inia  when  ir  N\as  mustered  out  of  the 
service,  it  would  have  l»een  after  this  style,  if 
he  had  adhered  to  facts : 

''' Soldiers,  when  the  cajiital  of  the  Tiiited 
States  was  invaded,  and  the  intei^'rity  of  this 
Lrreal  nation  hnnii:  in  doubt.  T  called  upon  you 
foi'  assistance.  1  thank  you  for  the  ])rom])tness 
with  which  you  responded,  but  more  for  tlie 
U'allant  bi'avery  you  dis]»laye(l  on  so  many  bat- 
tle-tields.  1  re_u:]'et  that  so  many  of  your  brave 
comrafb's  are  left  (b'ad  there  ov  -avo  wounded  for 
life. 

"'Since  r  ma(h'  the  first  call  f(U-  your  assist- 
ance, I  found  it  necessary  to  emancipate  all  the 
slaves  in  \'irL;'inia.  I  also  had  your  ^aluable 
aid  in  destroyiiiLi:  a  larire  ])(UMion  of  material 
wealth  of  the  peojde  of  the  Slate.  1'Iiis  I  found 
necessary  to  cut  oil'  the  sujtplies  of  the  enemy 
that  the  war  miuiit  be  brought  to  a  close.  1  am 
awai'e  that  many  of  you  and  youi'  friends  ha\"e 
lost  liea\ily  of  your  jtroperly  tiy  the  war.  ^'ou 
must  bear  your  losses.  ( 'oiiiii-ess  will  not  make 
an  a  pjtroprial  i«ui  to  reimbiiise  you  for  your 
losses;  that  would  be  contrary  to  the  laws  of 
nations.  I  further  reui-et  to  inform  you  that  by 
the  emancipation   of  the  slaves  and   the  furtlier 


(I'ori  riior     l'l<  rp'oil's     \'ii 


IL': 


(It'sti'ucl  idii   of   projMTty.   tlir    j)c(»|ilc  of   \'irLriiii;i 

li;(Vt'  Itccoiiit'  ilil  J)i)Vcrislir(l.  Tlli'  Sl;ltc  owfs  a 
lai-L'c  drill,  and  I  am  iiifoi-iiird  ihai  alMiiii  S'Jt',,- 
0(1(1.(1(1(1  in  ItoiKls  of  tile  State  ar.-  lidd  by  tli.- 
[M'(>i)l<'  of  \'iri:inia  who  ciiLrairtMi  in  hrinirini:  ">n 
ami  sustaining:  this  wai"  of  i-fhcllion.  1  am 
jM'i'fcciIy  aware  that  if  the  shi\cs  had  not  liem 
cmancipa tt'd  and  other  projtei'ty  ih-st  I'oNcd,  the 
jieople  could  liaNc  easily  |)aid  that  <Iel)t,  l»ut  it  is 
im|iosvihIe  for  them  to  j>ay  it  now.  ^'ou  must, 
like  L''ood  citizens,  l:o  home  and  'j:n  to  wiu-k.  make 
m<uiey,  jiay  the  interest  on  the  honds.  and  your 
children  must  jtay  the  ])riiici|ial  when  it  lie- 
comes  due.  ALT.'iiii  I  thaid<  you.  soldiers,  ("km! 
hless   you." 

"'i'liis  is  an  uinarnished  |ireseniat  ion  of  the 
case,  'j'lie  Wall  Street  sxiidicaie  lia\e.  it  is  said, 
near  si  ."..(HiO.ddO  of  West  \'iri:inia  Ixuid^.  or 
certificates,  as  they  are  calle(l.  f(U"  which  the\- 
I>ai<l  ti\e  !)]•  six  cents  on  the  dollar.  It  is 
said  they  lia\('  some  wlii|i|)er-sna iijiers  runninir 
throu'jh    the   State,   tryim:   to   corrupt    h'Lri^laiorv 

to    i:i\e    them    encouraLr''IUent     to    lioniu     these    irv- 

tilicaies.  ifanx'  p(U"fiiui  of  i  hese  cert  iticales  a  re 
e\cr  [laid,  the  riiited  States  must  pa  \'  them,  or 
West  X'irLMuia  will  ha\'e  to  alter  lii'f  mollo: 
'i.ilieriy   always   resides    in    the    mountains" 

•'  I".   11.    rii:!:i'o\T. 
•'  I'airiiiont,  W.   \'a..   I'eh.  7.    Iss;."" 


<)li<er\e  that  i]\  ( "i<i\  ermir  rierpMin  sa  \  •^  that 
it  wa<  dialed  that  ai  the  clov,-  ,,f  iIk-  w  .-h-  .•itrhty 
per  cent,  of  the  State  liond<  were  held  in  \'ir- 
;_Mnia.  (>li'-er\e.  too.  that  it  i<  said  ilie  Wall 
Street  SNudicale  paid  ti\e  of  siv  cents  on  the 
dollar  for  the  Si  ."i.ddd.ddd  of  Wcvt  \'irj:inia 
bonds. 


riT AFTER    X 

WAS    THE    FUNDING    I'.ILL    IRREI'KAI.Ar.LK? 

Tin:  advocates  of  the  Fniidinij:  IJill  claiined 
tliaf  it  constituted  an  irrepealahle  contract.  Tliis 
claim  was  sustained  l>.v  a  majority  of  the  T'onrt 
of  Appeals,  and  I  was  sharply  criticised  by  them 
foi*  havinix  "  the  presnm]ttion  to  set  himself  [my- 
self] np  in  ()})position  to  the  highest  conrt  in 
\'ir,u:inia."' 

T  denied  the  I'i^ht,  or  ])owei',  of  one  le,i::islatni'e 
to  (lc])i-iv('  fntni-e  Icu'islat  ures  of  tlieii-  equal  con- 
stitutional ])rei'o;j:a lives,  and  so  to  dis])ose  of  the 
futui'o  revenues  of  the  State  as  to  j)lace  them 
beyond  the  conti-ol  of  subse(pient  legislatures. 
I  was  afterward  shown  a  leftei'  fi'om  Mr.  JelTer- 
son  to  ,Mi'.  Ma<lison  that  left  me  no  doubt  of 
the  c()i-rect ness  of  my  ])osition. 

Some  \-ears  after  the  ])ublication  of  my  ])am- 
])hlet  "  Debts  and  Taxes,"  the  followini!:  letter 
was  written  by  Judire  Hughes  of  the  l-'ederal 
Tourt.  I  ^i\('  it  in  full,  as  it  not  only  sustaine(l 
my  ])osition,  but  is  a  ])art  of  (he  history  of  the 
times : 


''To  the  EditoT'  of  the  Staunton   Tirfiiiiid))  : 
*'Deai'  Sir:     "^'ou  ask   whether  T  am  cori'ecfly 

classed   with   the  su|t]»oi'ters  of  ihe  Fundirm;  Act 

of  1S71.     1   will  answer  with  as  much  frankness 

as  emjihasis  : 

"'  Neither  in   its  oi-iirin,   nor  at  any  })eriod   of 

its  history,  nor  now,   have  T   ap]u-oved,  or  do  I 

126 


Wns    fhr     I'lDiilliKi    Hill    / n> /ii  nhihh  /      \'2~ 
.'ipltnivr,  of  tliiit    iiKNisiin-.      I    refer  i>;irt  ieiihirlv 

l(t  lIlMl  |i|-(i\  iNidll  (if  I  he  ;|et  IiV  wll'hll  tlie  1,1  Xes 
of  llie  Slille  ;il'e  ;i  1 1 1 1  f(i|  iri.l  t  ei  I  fnf  lliirty  Ve;irs  ill 
jhlv.lllie  I(t  the  |i;i\llielil  (if  ;|  defei-i'ed  chiss  of 
CMlipulis,    llidliull    llieil-   pnyilielll    sli;ill    (lefeill    oilier 

(iIiIIl;;!!  i'liis  r;iiikeil  liy  ilie  Siiiie  ( "(iiisi  ii  III  imi  ;is 
of  e(|ii;illy  lii^li  or  (if  liiLili'T  diuiiiiv.  As  e;irly 
;is  the  (hiys  of  .M;ii:ii;i  ('h;ll'l;i  ;ill(l  thiwii  ihi'dliu'll 
Sllccee(l  inu'  celllni-ies   l<i   ihe   |il'eselll     lillle,    IKiInhlv 

ill  theii-  \\;ii-  wiih  ihe  Siii;iiMs.  ihe  lliiulish  ped- 
]ih-  h;i\('  .'l^vfi'leil  ihe  ]  H'i  Ilei  |  ih'  of  the  ;lliS(illlIe 
[lower  of  e;lch  1 ';i  rl  ililiiell  t  o\cr  the  rcNcmies 
I'Jlised  liV  l;l\;ltioIl  (llllillLr  i's  o\\  11  ten  I!  of  e\- 
i>ie!i(i'.  'I'h.it  riiilit  of  l';irli;iiiieiit  h;is  heeii  ;i 
fiiiKJ,!  nieiit.i  I  cniioii  of  the  <  "oust  it  lit  ioiKil  hiw 
of  |]ni:hiii(l  ;it  ;ill  litiies;  ;niil  is  ;i  cm  rd  i  ii;i  I  |iriii- 
cifih'  of  oiir  A  iiiericiii    policy. 

'•'rile    (dllpoll     fe;illire    of    the     I'lnKJillLr    Act      is 

repiiL;"ii;i  III    lo   the  c;i  rdin.-il  doctrine,  on   thi<  snh- 

Jecl.     which     \\;\<    lieell     lleld     tiy     the    (  "oust  il  III  iollill 

^^■|IeSI|le^  of  I!  1 1  u'i.'Mid  ;iiid  Aiiieric;i.  since  the 
princilde^  of  popiihir  lilierty  li;i\c  Inid  ;i(l\oc;ites. 
defender^.  oi-  iii;irtyrs.  in  either  coiiniry. 
\\  he!  her  :iny  leL:'isl;ii  iire  of  \'iri:ini;i  sh;ill  deem 
itself  lioiind  li\  it.  is  only  ;i  tiiornl  ipie^tioii  for 
its  own  decision,  iiiid  not  ;i  IclmI  (pie^ii'Mi  for 
the  decision  of  ;i  ny  coii  rt  w  li;i  lexer.  So  f,i  r  fro  in 
;i  ppfox  iiej  the  I'liiidinL;'  .\ci.  I  li;i\e  leunnhd  it 
;i<    the    chief    c;iii<e    of    the    I  i  II  ;l  1 1  c  i ;  1 1    eiuh.i  rr;i^s 

inelllv   of   ihe    Sl;lle.       'idle   I;l\    LI;  1  t  ll  e  I' i  1 1  Ll'    conpoll 
the  cut    Worm  of  I  lie  re\eii  lies.  ;i  ppropri.i  I  illLT  I  helll 
e;|ch      \e,ir     to     il-ejf     Willi      illlperlinellt      di--(|:iin     t^f 

|eui^hni\i-   ;iniIio!-ii\       i-.   ;i    (|e\  ice  of   iii'dlerii    in 

;i'''niiiiy   lo  -iiliject    the  |e'_;i--I:ii  n  re,  in   il xefci^e 

of  its  liiLilie^i  coiivi  inn  ioim  I  function,  to  the 
power  of  I  he    indici.-iry  ;  ;iii(I    i^  :it    w;ir   with    the 


12S     Autohiofjraplnj    of    John    U.    .l/r/.s'.sv?/ 

clKM'isliod  Enirlisli  niul  Aiiiorlcnii  prin('i])le  of  tlio 
iniihinl  in(l(']>(Mi(lon('0  of  the  Iru-islntivc,  cxccn- 
i]V(\  ;iTi(l  judicial  (l(']):irtiiHMits  of  <j:ov(M'iiin.Mit. 
Any  iiirasnT'c  A\iiicli  briiij^'s  tliosc  jni'isdictioiis 
into  coiiliicf.  niid  tlinists  a  court  into  i-cal 
or   coloi-ablc   usur])ation,    is   vicious    in    tlic   last 

"  Tlio  riji'lit  of  each  l(\2:islatnro  to  control  tlit' 
rcvcniK^s  of  tlic  f^talc  durini;  tlic  ])('i-iod  of  its 
sci'vico  cannot,  in  my  opinion,  Ix'  tak(Mi  away, 
cillici'  l)y  iH'ci'oii-ativc.  or  contract,  or  any  other 
]io\\('T'  oi"  device,  leijislative,  executive,  or  ju- 
dicial. Tlie  revemn^s  of  a  State  dei'ived  from 
taxation  cannot  ^)o  entailed  Ity  any  le<;islatni'e. 
T1h\v  ai'e  a  tiaist  fund  to  be  admin isteriHl  by 
each  leii'islatnre  on  its  own  responsibility  to  tlu^ 
]»eo])le.  Tt  is  not  competent  for  a  ])recedinij: 
body  to  conti'ol  a  succeed injj:  one  by  any  coei'- 
cive  ]»re-enact  nient  ;  oi'  in  any  otliei*  manner  to 
impeach  its  tidelity  to  the  ])ublic  obi iii-at ions. 

"The  atfem])t  of  a  leu'islatui'e  to  obsti'uct 
the  ])(»wer  of  its  successors  over  the  rev(Uiues  foi* 
a  sinirle  year,  ot'  fo7'  thii-ty  yeai's  in  advam-e.  is, 
in  my  judufment,  violently  iiJIrd  rirrx.  and  (Es- 
sentially null  and  void;  noi'  can  any  fiction  of 
sucli  a  body,  desip:ned  to  el'fect  such  a  i)Ui'i)ose. 
be  AJilidaleil  by  any  court  \\hatever  in  tlu^  land. 
\o  State,  it  is  tru(\  has  ])oweT'  by  its  Ic^'islatuT'e. 
oi'  other  oi'U'anism,  to  impaii'  the  obli^'al  iiuis  of 
conti'acts  which  ai'e  leiral  and  constitutional; 
but  any  si  i])ulat  ioTi  of  a  leiri^lat  ur(E  \\hich  it  has 
no  constitutional  |)ower  to  ma]-;e,  and  ^\■llich  is 
in  di'i'ouat  ion  of  the  c(pial  const  it  ut  ioiml  powci's 
of  its  succcssoi's,  is  not  a  confi-act.  anil  docs  not 
bind  its  succ(>ssoi's.  'I'lie  other  ]iai-ty  lo  such  a 
stipulation   is  bound   to  know  that    such   a   body 


ll'/.s-    //('•    Fiindini)    Hill    Irn  ixiihthh.'      \'2\) 

;i(is  /////•'/  riris,  'I'linl  a  Ic^islai  urc  may  ortlain 
a  nuiiiaii  ill  rcLTartl  i(»  oiIki-  siil» jccis,  I  do  not 
(Iriiy.  Imi  I  (In  (Ifiiy  iliai  any  inic  Ir^-islal  urc 
r;iii  •tnnt/iict  '  away  ihf  iiiffnuai  i\ c  cniitrdl  of 
MicccfdiiiLr  li'uislal  iiii's  (i\cr  llif  lf\yiiiL:  i»f  laxrs 
ami  ilic  a|iiiru|iriai  iiiii  of  iTM'iiiifs.  'I'lic  jiowcr 
nf  I  a  ell  li'uislai  un-  on  cr  i  In-  l  w  u  siih  jccis  of  hi.i  <  \ 
ami  fin  Ill/is  is  rxcjiisivc,  alisoluic.  so\crfimi, 
sarifil.  W'lirl  lit'T  siicji  a  sli|nilalioii  shall  Ix-  pt-r- 
t'oriiicd.  is  a  li'i:,islai  i\  I',  imi  a  judicial.  (|m'siioii. 
liarh  lr;;islal  HIT  i>  till-  Sole  jlldu^c  U>\-  ilstdf  of 
1 1 1 1  •  o  1 1 1  i  i: ;  I  ij  I )  1 1  of  ca  vv\  i  n  LI'  o  1 1 1  s  1 1 1  •  1 1  a  s  i  i  1 1 1 1 1  a  I  i  o  1 1 . 
'j'lio  IcuislaMiic  <d"  N'ii'Liiida  is,  \iriiially.  the 
u'oN  (■riiiiiftii  of  \'ii-uiiiia;  and  iis  |io\\ci-  would  In- 
ili'^i  loycd  if  thai  sacred  canon  id"  ciuist  ii  ui  ional 
lilM-riy.  which  Lii\cs  to  the  immcdialc  fcpfcscu- 
tati\c  h-uislat  uir  of  the  [icoplc  the  coiitfol  of 
the  fc\rnucs  it  raises  l»y  the  ia.\ati(Ui  which  it 
imposes  upon  them,  were  oNCft  lirow  ii. 

•'  A  pjuopi-iat  ion  hills  are  leui>lati\e  pi-ei-oum- 
livi'v.  no  less  essentially,  distinctly,  and  exclu- 
sively than  tax  hill^  ;  and  what  would  he  t  houudii 
of  a  coui't  which  shouhl  isMU'  its  imi  inhi /// us 
comma  ml  im:'  a  leui^lalufe  to  le\y  a  tax  to  meet 
a  |iidilie  ohli^aiion  imposed  tliroui:li  the  suhtef- 
fui;e   iif  rijii  I  /-III  I .'      N(U'    can    it    const  i  t  ui  iona  1  ly 

inlefcept  the  PeNeUUes  ffolil  1  e^•i  shl  t  i  \e  conIf(d 
when    cdljeeled.        I    alH    a^    much    opposed    to    such 

a  ihiiiLT  as  1  am  to  |"(U'<ihle  lo^adjusi  meiii  ami 
iia'-i'  money.  \\  heihei-  any  irond  can  come  \i<  the 
Slate  from  oppoviiiL:'  it  now.  is  anoiliei-  ipn'stioii 
ipiiie  a^idi'  frw 111  that  of  iiv  alleged  in\  iolaldlity, 
w  hiili    I    lia\  e   lieen   d  ixiissi  iil:'. 

"  ^'ours   sincii'ely. 

"  U.    \V.    lli"«;iii:s. 
*•  Norfidk,   N'irLrinia." 


loO     A  ittohioijruiilnj    of    -lolin    /,'.     Mdssij/ 

The  same  position  was  sustained  by  \hv  fol- 
lowini;  decision  I'cndered  hy  Juilii'e  KoI)ertson, 
rresidiMil   of  tlie  Conrt   of  Apjteals  of  N'irii'inia: 

'•  Xo  Stale  shall  pass  any  law  iiii|)airini;  the 
obligation  of  eontracts." — (\)u.  Tnited  Slates. 

In  delivi'i'inix  opinion  of  eonrt  (in  J'.nrronghs 
\s.    IN'Vton)    Judii"e   Kobertson  savs: 


"  \'>y  the  term  contraets,  in  that  clanse,  is  not 
ineaiil  to  inchnle  the  i-iuhts  and  intei'ests  iiTow- 
inii'  ont  of  the  nieasnres  of  that  ])nbli(*  ])oli('y. 
Acts  in  reference  to  snch  nieasni-es  ai-e  to  be  i-e- 
U'ardeil  as  ratluM'  in  the  natni-e  of  leu'islation  than 
of  compact,  and  althon^h  la.uhts  and  intei-ests 
may  Ikuc  l)een  ac(|nired  ])y  ihem,  those  riiihts 
and  iiUeiTsts  cannot  be  consideicd  as  violated 
by  snbsc(p]ent  le,u"islative  chanu'es  which  may  de- 
stroy them." 


CIIAl'TKK     XI 

Tin;    MASSKV    SI   lIodL    I'.ll.l, 

'riii:i;i:  were  tlirrc  caiididaii's  foi-  iiomiiiat  iuu 
l)ct'oI'f  llic  uillM'i-ii;lliiI'i;il  ci  dlN  cii  I  idli  uf  1>77  - 
(Icii.  William  .Malmnr,  ("..I.  1'.  W.  M.  lldiiday, 
and    -Maj.   .loliii    W.    l>anii'l. 

Al'ii-r  friMiUfiil  i)all(ii  iiius  (irnci-al  .MalKHic's 
t'l-iriids  dfs|iain'd  of  iHiiiiiiiai  iiii:  liiiii,  and  Wt'iit 
(•\ci'  solidly  lo  lilt'  siipjiori  (d"  ( 'ojoiud  llojlidav, 
w  ho  was  iioiniiiaifd. 

I'lilil  rciiifoiccd  iiv  ilir  fi-iriids  (d' ( iciicral  .Ma- 
lioiic,  ('(doind  llolliday  had  the  siiiallrsi  I'idlow- 
iiiLT  <d"  any  of  the  cand  idalcs.  lli'  was  a  showy 
man,  ucni  h-manly  in  his  apiiraranci',  and  siricily 
moral. 

In  ls77  I  annonnccd  niys(df  a  candidate  for 
!ln'   Scnalc  of  \ii'i,Mnia   in   the  following  rard: 

'• 'I'o  the  X'oItTs  of  the  Sciialoi'ial    nisirict.  ('om- 

jioscd     of     tjic     ('onnlics     of     A  llicma  i-lf    and 

( i  rfcnr  : 

"  I'cllow  (ii  i/.cns  :  Nuiiicrons  calls  lia\r  hrcn 
maih-  iijion  iim'  Io  annonncr  myself  a  i-andiilalc 
foi-  a  scat  in  the  Smate  of  N'irL'inia.  from  this 
disii'ici,    for  the  a|iproacliim:  senatoi-ial    term. 

'•As    I    lia\e   scr\ed    the   <'oiiniy   of   Allicmai'le 

the    hlsl    ti\r  ycai'S   in    ihe    llolisr   of    helc^ati-s,  yoll 

lia\i'  had  aiii|i|i-  o[iport  nn  iiy  lo  infin-m  \oiii->c|\es 
of  my  [I'ditical  \iews,  tinamial  |i(dicy,  and  the 
principles  which  !j,d\  ern  my  act  ions,  and  to  jutlp' 
lii>w    far  your  intcicsts  are  safe  in  my  hands. 

131 


132     AntohUxjraphy    of   John    E.    Masscij 

''Next  to  the  approbation  of  (Jod  and  of  my 
own  conscience,  1  prize  tlie  approval  of  good 
and  inlelli<;ent  men.  Mj  aim  has  been  so  to  dis- 
ciiarj^-e  my  Iei,nshitive  dnties  that  those  that  voted 
for  me  shonld  liave  no  canse  to  regret  it,  and 
tliat  those  that  voted  against  me  shouhl  liave  no 
cause  to  regret  my  election  without  their  vote. 
Tiu'  very  many  assurances  1  have  received  from 
my  former  supporters  and  oj)posers  of  tlieir 
hejirty  a])proval  of  my  j)ast  services,  and  of  their 
increased  contidence,  is  the  richest  and  most 
gratifying  reward  tliat  couhl  be  given  me.  If  I 
needed  any  stimulus  to  faithful  and  unremitting 
care  of  the  interests  entrusted  to  me,  these  as- 
surances would  supi>ly  it. 

"Deeply  grateful  for  youi'  jiast  sup])ort  and 
contidence,  I  now,  in  com])!iance  with  many 
calls,  which  I  believe  to  express  the  pojjular 
will,  announce  that  if  it  be  ^■our  ])leasure  to 
nominate  me,  at  the  convention  that  has  l)een 
called  to  meet  in  Charlottesville  on  the  24th  in- 
sl;inl,  as  a  candidate  for  a  seat  in  the  Senat<' 
of  ^'il•ginia,  and  to  elect  me  to  that  ])osition,  I 
shall  try  to  serve  you  faithfully  and  to  the  l)est 
of  my  ability. 

''  Very  res])ect fully, 

''  dot IX  K.  Masskv. 

"Ash   Lawn,  Albemaile  Co.,   Va., 
"  Sejitember  1  1 ,  1S77." 


l'>x-Lieutenant-(loveriU)i'  Slielton  V.  Leiike,  a 
tine  lawyer,  a  shrewd  ])olit  ician.  and  one  of  the 
ablest  stuiiii)-s{)eakei's  and  debaters  iti  Virginia, 
was  my  competitor  foi-  the  nomination. 

AVe  met    in  discussion  but  once.     That    was  at 


The    Mass)  ij    A'^^7/oo/    Hill 


]:VA 


(ircciic  ruurt  House.  ( ioM-iiior  LcmUc  was  very 
jiujuilar  in  (irct'iic  ('oiiiiiv  ;  1  was  a  cnii^iarat  i\  r 
>iraimi'i'  iliiiT.  lie  iHMjMisi'il  llial  racli  of  us 
.slmuM  sjH'ak  an  lii>ui-  and  lia\r  litifru  luinulcs 
111  rrjiiin.  I  led  (ilf,  and  cuiiiincil  niyst'lf  siricily 
lo  iMilitical  issues. 

(iiiMTUiir    Leake,    aiiitiiii:;    oihei-    iliin,u'>.    eoni- 

IllrlHed  UJioli  my  leliljMTaiiee  |il-i  Hei  jdes.  \*i)V- 
lidiis  of  (ii-eeiie  were  Udied  tor  ilie  inanulaei  ure 
and   um-  of  l)i-andy  and   whiskey. 

■'.Ml'.  .Massey,"  said  «io\t'inor  Leake  lo  ilie 
eiiiud.  '-will  ne\('r  Ii-eal  you.  Me  won't  e\cn 
take  a    soeial    ulass   with   you." 

I  siiid  in  rejoinder:  "  1  fee!  a  didieaey  in  sjieak- 
iuL;'  of  iiiys(df.  and  lia\e  refi-aineil  fi-oin  doinu' 
so,  \)\\[  1  iliank  (loNciaioi-  Lealvc  for  (lie  eoinidi- 
nieni  lie  lias  |iaid  nie.  It  is  true  that  1  am  a 
tenijieranee  man.  \'ou,  fellow cii  i/ens,  know 
what  my  habits  and  mannei'  of  life  lia\e  heeu; 
ami  if  you  want  a  man  who  will  >aei-itiee  his 
lu-incijiles  and  eliant:e  his  haldts  for  olliee.  I 
am  not  the  man  you  are  looking  foi-.  \ n\\  \\\\\>\ 
\iiii'  fill'  smiieliody  elsi'!  I  will  say  to  you  luih- 
liely.  ;is  I  lia\f  saiil  priNaiely.  if  my  elect  ion 
dr|.i'nds  u|>(Ui  niy  i:i\inu'  a  man  a  diam  or  the 
W(UMh   of  one.    to   \»ite    for   me.    Lll    he   defeati'd    he- 

fnr.-  rii  du  ii :  •■ 

(loM'rmu'  Le;ike  did  not  rejoin  as  he  had  the 
riuht,  tM  do. 

.\s  soon  as  I  closed,  the  <"o)iniy  ('h-rk,  .Mr. 
(Juinlus  lluiiie.  came  to  me  and  said:  '•  I  canic' 
here  a  Lcakc  man:  I  am  now  a  .Ma^^cy  man. 
'i'he  man  who  lu'oclaims  and  mainlaiiis  his  prin- 
ciphvs  hcfoi'e  this  crowd  as  you  ha\i'  don.-,  is 
the   man    I    want    to   re|U'eseni    me."" 


I'M     .\ut()hhi<jrn[)hii    of    -IoIdi    /:'.    Masscij 

A  fi'('(^  Leake  treat  was  proclaimed.  One  of 
llic  crowd,  wliilc  jtartakiiig  of  it,  shouted,  ''  Three 
cheers  foi-  .Massey  I  " 

Some  one  rej)lied,  "  Voii  drinking  Leake  whis- 
l^ey  and  ciieerinii'  for  .Masseyl" 

'•  ^'es,"  said  he.  "and  the  majoi-ity  will  be  for 
him  on  elcciion  day." 

When  ihe  nonnnatinL,^  convention  met  in  Char- 
iollesville,  (Jreene  sent  a  solid  delegation  for 
me.      I    was  nominated  by  a  lar,ii,('  majority. 

A  IJepnhlican  ran  a;Li"ains(  me.  1  canvassed 
hoili  All»emarle  and  (Ireene  counties. 

As  I  was  lea\in,u'  the  stand  after  s])eakin:Li;  at 
i'l-ee  rnion.  in  Albemarle  Couidy,  an  old  man 
said  to  me,  "  1  was  mm-h  ])leased  with  your 
speech  today,  and  I  am  certaiidy  ii:oinii'  to  vote 
for  you."" 

"  1  am  ulad  to  know  it,"'   1   replied. 

•d"\('  wall^ed  a  consideralde  distance,"  said 
he.  "atid  1  haven"t  had  a  dram  to-day.  Have 
you   ten  (ciits  about   you?  "" 

"•  ^'es.""  said  [."but  not  for  tliat  ])ur()ose.  ^'ou 
miisi  excuse  me.  1  (huTt  driidc  myself,  and  can- 
Iiol    elicoill-au'c  others   to  do   SO." 

As  he  luiMied  away  otie  of  my  friends  said, 
'd)on"i   you  lliiidx  you"\-e  lost   that   man's  vole?"' 

••  I  think  it  veiw  likely,"  1  rejdied.  "  hut  I 
didn'l    lose   my  sel  f-res])ect ."' 

I   lieai-(|   afiei-uard  that   the  man  voted   foi*  me. 

On  the  (hiy  of  elecii(Ui  a  man  sai<I  to  me,  "I 
v.  a  !it    I  o  \die  for  you."" 

"  I  am  lihul  to  liear  it,""  1  rejdied.  "and  I 
jaiow    of  no  i-eason   why  you  should  mit."' 

'd'.iit.""  said  he,  "  I  ha\'e  made  a  \-ow  that  I 
will  ne\-er  \ote  foi'  any  man  unless  I  .^et  some- 
iliiiiLT  for   ii.      I    will   have   to  break   my   vow,  or 


ritr      Muss,  11      SrIinnI      ll'lll  1 


\<iii'  ai^jiiiist  vou.  unless  vou  ;:;i\('  luc  soiucthiiiL:, 
if  it    is  (iiilv  ten   (Tills." 

••  If  h-ii  (fills  will  liiiy  vitiir  sole  I  ddii't  waiil 
ii,"    I    iciilic(l. 

I  \\ai(lic(l  hiiii  as  lie  wciii  to  a  friend  of  my 
(iiiiipri  ildi'.  Afier  Iti'ief  lalk  ilie  hand  of  llie 
apjin>aelied  man  wcnl  into  his  ]MKkei,  then  llieir 
hands  niei,  afier  which  llie  Noiei-'s  hand  wcnl 
iiiiip  Ills  |Miekei.  and  he  wcni  in  and  xnied  Un-  my 
e(iiii|iei  iiiir.  A  pi-eily  sirdiii:,'  ease  (d"  "  eircum- 
slaillial  evidence,"  was  it  not  ".'  .\e\  cii  heless,  1 
was     elecle(l. 

Section    S    (d'    Al'licle    S    of    ihe    ("ollvlinilion    of 

X'iiLiinia  says:  "  The  (lenefal  Asxanhly  shall 
a[iply  the  annual  inlei-est  on  the  liiei'ai-y  fund 
iijie  capiiation  tax  |ii-o\ided  foi-  l»y  this  coii- 
slilulion  foi-  [illlilic  fl-ee  sclio(d  [Ul  I-|  m  ises  I  .  and 
an  annual  tax  ujion  the  jiro|ieiiy  of  the  Siaie  of 
iioi    less  than  one   mill   mu'   nioic  than   ti\i'   mills 

on  the  dollaf,  fol'  the  iMpial  hellelit  of  all  the  |ieo- 
ple  id'   the  Slate;   the    iiumlier  of  childfen    lietWeell 

the  aues  td"  li\i'  and  Iwcnty-oiie  years,  in  each 
pulilie  scho(d  district,  hein::  the  hasjs  df  such 
d  i\  i^i<in." 

Si.  lai'Lie  a  iHU'iion  of  the  re\enue  of  ihe  Siali' 
was  paid  in  coupons  that  iieai'ly  all  thai  was  |iaid 

in  llliilley  was  riMplired  id  nn'el  the  cIllTelll  rX- 
|H'!l-ev     (if     ihr     Slate,     aild      the     I-cvidue     of     it      Was 

I  uriii'd  (i\rr  I  It  lioiidlioldcrs. 

The      vcho(ds       Were      ihel-ehy      di'pl'ivcd       (if      the 

ne-aii^  of  su[ipdi-i  dcdicaicd  id  ihciii  liy  the  (  "du- 
siiiuijdn.  the  di-'janic  law  df  the  Stall':  and  eilu 
catidii    was    lanLiiiishiuLr. 

( 'dnfedcraic  sdldicr^.  who  had  h-si  their  limlis, 
their  health,  and  their  |iriipert\  \\\  the  fate  of 
war.  saw    their  children  ufnw  iiiLT  up  td  manhddd 


13(5     AutohiograpJn/    of    John    JJ.    Masscy 

;iii(l  womaiiliood  in  iji^noraiu'c  witliont  means  to 
('(lucate  tlit'in,  wliilc  the  taxes  that  were  i)ai(l  by 
iheii'  toil  were  diverted  from  tiieir  Icfjjitiniate 
oltjcct  and  ,i;iven  to  money  cliangcrs  and  speeu- 
hitors. 

1  i)re})ared  a  bill;,  setting  forth  the  plain  man- 
date of  the  Constitution,  and  r('(iuiring  the  caj)- 
itation  tax,  and  ten  eents  on  the  hundred  dol- 
lars of  pro])erty  taxes,  to  be  paid  in  money,  and 
k('l)t  as  a  distinet  fund  for  educational  ])ur- 
]>os('s,  as  provided  by  the  Constitution.  It  was 
elaborately  discussed,  and  i)assed  in  both  liousi's 
of  the  legislature  by  large  majorities.  This  Idll 
was  known  as  the  "  ^lasscy  School  Jlill." 

(Jovei'uor  Ilolliday  vetoed  it  without  stating 
his  i-cason  for  doing  so.  He  simjtly  referred 
to  a  veto  message  he  had  sent  to  the  House 
of  Delegates  vetoing  an  entirely  dilTerent  meas- 
ure. 

When  it  was  returned  to  the  Senate  it  ^\as 
taken  nj)  and  the  (luestion:  "Shall  the  bill 
become  a  law  regaiMllcss  of  the  ( io\'ei-m)r's  ob- 
jection?" was  submitted.  The  bill  failed  to  i-e- 
cei\"e  a  two-thirds  majoi'ity,  and  was,  therefitre, 
defeated. 

"IMie  city  j)ress  made  the  following  I'ejioi-t  : 


"  ('lM)U  the  reading  of  the  message  of  (io\ernoi' 
Ihtlliday  xctoing  Senate  bill  Xo.  1,  known  as 
the  '  .Massey  Sclntol  15111,"  on  the  1st  instant,  Mv. 
.Massey  s;iid   in  part  : 

"*.Mr.  IM'esident,  I  shall  not  now  dwell  upon 
ilie  jtroliable,  1  might  say  almost  ine\ilable,  ulli- 
mate  eonse(|uences  of  tliis  \'eto  message,  bul  ])ay 
my    l-espeets    to    the    message   itself.     .     .     . 

"  '  Sir,   it    is   sai<l   that  lu'evily   is  the  soul   of 


'I'lir       l/r/.x-.sv  ;/      S<  hnni      Hill 


l.T 


wii  :  Init  I  nt'Ncr  saw  so  Lrraml  an  illiist  I'al  inn  of 
till-  far!  Iicfoi't'.  A  l>ill.  I'l'LTai'ilcil  so  inijioi-tanr 
li\  ilir  Sfnatt'  Iliat  ii  lmm'  ii  alniosi  its  cntii'c 
liiiic  ami  atli'ntion  foi-  ciLrlii  ilays;  a  lull,  that 
uuaianlccd  tlic  fuint'c  saffiy  ami  siicct-ss  of  ouf 
syviciii  of  ]>nlilif  I'diicai  ion  ;  a  hill,  in  wjiidi  the 
w  lioir  |M'o[ilr  of  \'ifi:inia  wci-r  imtst  tlci'iil)'  in- 
fcfoti'd  ;  a  liill.  wliicli  lias  hern  niosi  cafffnlly 
pi'i'I»ar(M|.  in  sii-ici  accoi-ilain'c  with  the  <'on'<ti- 
iiiiioii.  and  in  roiiiidianrc  with  its  clraf  and 
[loviiivr  niaiidatcs.  is  wijicd  otit  of  cxistciKT  hy 
almni  lufiiiy  litirs  ffoni  the  iniiddr  iicn  i»f  onf 
hffoic  <  Io\(Tnof !  'idiis  iiH'ssaL''''  (Iocs  init  assiu'ii 
a  siiiLiIi'  frasoii  for  this  fcniai'kaldc  cNrfcisf  of 
the  \cIo  powcf;  hut  siiiii»I\  fi'iiiilids  lis  lif  we 
dafo  lir  so  aia'o;,Mnl  as  to  ask  a  why  of  wln-n'- 
foi-c  I  that  his  fcasons  for  \Ttoinii  lliis  ItiJl  may 
III-  jfarimd  hy  cxaiiMninir  his  nifssai:'!'.  sent  to  tin' 
House  of  1  )(dci:atrs.  \ctoiiiL:"  ;i  ditl'ci'cnl  Icill, 
w  hirh  ciiianatrd    in    t  his  body. 

"  ■  ^'t■t.  .Mi-.  I't'csidriit ,  short  as  this  m.-vsaLT''  is. 
it  \cfy  fopcildy  frmimls  nir  of  thf  fcplx  of  an 
old  I  Mil  china  n.  who  was  asked  what  he  thom^dit 
of  a  speeih  to  which  he  had  listened.  lie  said: 
*•  \'\\el!,  I  link  a  smart  man  miLiiit  ha\e  said  all 
that  that  man  >aid  in  one  half  the  time  it  took 
him  to  say  it  ;  ami  that  a  mtv  smart  man  would 
not   h.i  \  e  ^a  id    it   at  all." 

'■•Sir.  the  mo<i  una  ti^w  eralile  ihitiLT  is  that 
which    contains   noihiiiLT   to   aii-~wer.      In    that    re- 

>[iecl      ihe     me-.v;||_r-,.     ) ,,  ■  f ,  .  fe     11<     ^lirpa^Sev     ;|I|\      >.  I  a  t  e 

papiM-  I  e\ei-  knew  In  emanate  from  a  N'irLTinia 
'loxi'rnor,  ;in(|  will.  I  iife^nme,  remain  nnrixaleil 
for  all    lime   to  come."  "" 


The  hill   which   (lo\ernor  IloHidav  \ctoed.  and 


1I?S     A  uldliioj/rd/ilij/    of    Joint    /•.'.    Massii/ 

to  ^\lli(•ll  lie  referred  for  his  reasons  for  votoiiiij^ 
the  "Massev  Seliool  Hill,  \\as  known  as  tlie 
"  r>ar'()our  15111."  After  it  ])ass(Ml  tlie  House  and 
was  heinii"  considered  in  the  Senate  I  advocated 
it.  The  newspapei's  i;a\e  the  followin,n'  rej^trt  of 
iHV  speecli : 


''We  place  before  our  readers  Ihe  follow  in;L,' 
exti'act  fi'oin  the  speech  made  by  Senatoi'  Mas- 
sey,  on  the  12th  (»f  I'^ebrnary.  in  the  Senate  of 
^'iI•l:'iIlia.  in  favor  of  the  '  Uill  iinjiosinu"  taxes 
on  I'eal  and  ])ei'sonal  ]»ro]>ei'ty  to  meet  the  neces- 
sary exjienses  of  the  u'ox'ei-nment,  foi'  ])nblie  fi-ee 
school  ]>nT']toses,  and  to  ]>ay  the  interest  on  the 
]»nl)lic  debt.' 

"Mr.  Massey  said:  'It  would  be  extremely 
dillicnlt,  -Ml'.  Pi-esident,  if  not  ini])ossible,  amid 
the  circumstances  sui'i'onmlinii-  us,  to  frame  a 
more  fail*,  just,  and  e(piitalde  bill  than  this.  It 
projjoses  to  do  the  fullest  justice,  which  the 
means  at  oui*  command  rendei*  jtossilde,  to  the 
li'ovei'iiment,  to  the  ])ublic  free  schools,  and  to 
all  classes  of  State  ci-editors.  If  it  be  jtassed 
by  the  Senate  and  a[)pro\"e(l  by  the  (!o\"ei'm)r,  as 
1  lidpc  and  belicNc  it  will  be,  it  will  jirescrNc 
the  inlc;;i-it_\'  of  the  ^oxcrument ,  secure  the  pei'- 
iiianence  and  elliciency  of  the  jtublic  fi-ee  schools, 
]ilace  the  credit  of  the  State  ujion  a  tii-m  and  safe 
basis,  reiiio\-e  disti'ust  and  anxiety,  and  j-csiore 
confidence  and  cheerfulness  throui,diout  the  <'oin- 
monwca  ll  h. 

"'^'el.  sir,  by  some  sti-aiiu'e  ojitical  illusion, 
llie  o|ip(Uients  (if  this  bill  see,  or  think  lliey  see, 
the  demon  of  I'ejiud  iai  jim  lurkim:'  in  it,  and  ai'e 
taxini;  all  tlieii-  ])o\\ci's  of  sophistry  and  ilietoric 
(I   cannot   say  loi;'ic|    to  exorcise  the  foul   spirit. 


77/'     Mass,!/    S<-lt'><>l    Hill  i:;!t 


riidfi-  ilicif  (Iclusidii,  llit'V  ;in;iils,  iKiI  ihc  l»ill, 
liiK    llic  |»li;iiilinii  of  llit'ir  itwii   i  iii;iLrin:iI  i"iis. 

*■  '  I  )i.^(  nisi  iiii;-  iht'ir  own  iiMliiv  lo  cnniciKl 
with  (Ills  iiii;m"in;ii-v  imiiisicr,  wliidi  no  oih'  i'Isc 
scrs,  (»!•  will  r\r\-  s.'i'  ill  this  hill.  IJicv  li;i\('  lii;|(|r 
tMI-Ili'St  ;ili|ic;ils  fur  assisl.i  licr  t'l'iiin  ollin-  (|ll;il'- 
ifis.  Ami  ilit'v  now  iiiforni  lis  ili;it  lioiji  tlir  n'- 
liiiioiis    ju'css   ;iiiil    till'    1  Hi  I  j  til    ;irc   oii    I  heir    side 

'{"his    lii;iv    III-    Mill'    ill    ;|     few    ('.\cr|  »i  i  oii;|  | ,    ;|llil    r\- 

(■r|ii  ioii.ililc.  cases.  Iiiil    iio  furl  Ih-r. 

'••()iii'  rlToi-is  to  ri'lic\c  ill.'  Stall-  fioin  llir 
(Irurailiiii:'  \as.valaur  in  w  liirli  slir  lias  lircii  [ijarnl 
liv  II  nw  isr  li'i:islai  imi  a  ri-  opjiosrd  liv  csci-v  |h  iw  rr 
wliirli    lionilliolili'fs.    nioiii'V    rhaiiuvrs.    ami    ciii-li- 

slolic     luoivcrs     ran      illVoki'.        'I'lirv     roliiliilli'     the 

A\oi-lil.  iIh'  tli'sli.  ami  till-  I>i'\il  auain^i  ii>:  Inn 
ilirv  will  no!  ill'  alili'  to  lirLznili'  iiian\  who 
afi'  warrinu,'  auaiiist  ilirsr  |iowcis  into  ihi'ir 
la  nks. 

'■  •  I  do  not  know  how  to  dcsriihc  this  in-w 
('onihinat  ion.  and  shall  not  attrmjii  it.  I  ^hall 
dral  with  thi'sr  iii'W  assailants  onlv  so  far  as  thr 
clia  rart  IT  of  ihrif  assault    im|H'|s   mr. 

••  •  Soiiir  of  tlii'sr  mnidi'sriiiil  s  t"a\of  iis  wiili 
[•favi'fs  and  Irrtiirrs.  in  whirli  tlii-\  i|iioir  ihi' 
romiiiaml.  Tlioii  shall  iioi  siral.  as  coin  |i|aioni  I  v 
as  if  they  siipiio^c  I  hciiiscl  \  cs  to  In-  llic  soh- 
|.ovv,.>sors  of  all  hoiifsty  and  hoiiof.  ami  arc 
look  i  mr  dow  n  with  ^n|irciiic  piiy,  if  iioi  con  i  cm  pi, 
upon  all    who  do  mn    ^cc  thron'^h   their  cxc^. 

••    •    ll      i--    dollhl  fill     W  lid  hcl'    I  he    lollceiled     hlll     i|e 

Imled    riiari^ee,  of  whom   we  read,  wa--  iipn-e  vain 

of    his    v|]pele\ce||i'||ce    ihail     lllc-e    si  ■  |  f  eo  n  ■- t  i  I  11  t  cd 

monitors  are;  ,>\-  wheihcr  he  looked  upon  the 
jioor  riihlican  with  more  di'-dain  than  ihe\  i|o 
upon    lho>e    who    choose    li>    he    LToNcnied     h\     their 


140     .\ii'(iJ)i')(i)-(iji]n/    of    .J>i]in    K.    Massri/ 

own  cornict  ions  of  diify.  I'.-illiei'  tlinii  l)_v  tlicir 
ipse  tli.rif. 

"'It  iiiiiy  1m>  imkiiul,  sir,  lo  distiii'l)  ilic  sclf- 
(•oiiiplncciicv  of  tlicsc  ]ts(Mi(lo-izni;n'(li;iTis  of  our 
honor;  Init  T  wonld  ri'sjx'ct  fnll.v  remind  tlicin  llmt 
]i('  who  said.  Thon  shnlt  not  steal,  said  also,  Tlion 
slialt  not  bear  false  witness  auainsl  tliy  neiii:]d)or. 
Thei'e  are  nianv  ways  in  wliicli  tliis  coininand 
may  be  violate*!,  ])nt  T  will  oidy  mention  a  few 
of  tliein. 

'' '  It  may  ]>e  viola1e<l  ])y  im])T'o])erly  a])])lyinL:: 
to  otliei's  names  sn.i;!j:<'st  i\'e  of  im])ni'e  oi*  nn- 
wortliy  motives.  lly  disenssinj::  oi'  adv<M'atin,Lr 
cori-ect  moi"al  ])i'inci]»les.  and  then  insinnatinij 
that  those  who  <lo  not  aii'i'ce  with  yon  n]»on  other 
(jnestions  are  not  <::overned  by  these  moi'al  ])T*in- 
('i])les.  Tt  may  be  violated  by  ex-jyosinLr  nnsonm! 
doeti'ines,  ot'  immoi'al  ])T-inei|)les  and  |)i'a<'tices, 
and  then,  by  innnendo,  nnjnstly  charLrinu:  othei's 
with    such    docti-ines,    ]>rin(i])]es.    and    pi'actices. 

"•  '  1  hope,  sii',  T  shall  Tu>t  be  misnndei'stood 
njton    this   yioint. 

"'I  nttei-  Tio  woi'd  of  eom]daint  against  any 
man,  whatever  his  callinLj  oi'  ]irofession  may  be, 
]»ecanse  of  his  ad\deatin'^  and  nrii'inir  the  most 
faithful  eom])lianee  with  moT'al  old iu'at  ions,  oi* 
becanse  he  insists  upon  the  jiayment  of  jnst  debts. 
I  Iiid  him  a  heai'ty  (lod-s]»eed.  ]»ro\"i<led  his  jn-ac- 
I  i((' (b>es  iKtt  eonflict  with  his  theoiy.  1  lia\(' e\i'i' 
insisted,  ami  e\er  shall  insist,  that  it  is  the 
diit\  of  bolh  indi\idiials  and  States  to  pay  their 
jnst  and  honest  debts,  to  the  ntmost  extent  of 
theii-  abiliiy.  I  will  not  stop  to  intpiire  into 
the  mot  i\'es  of  those  who  deem  it  necessa  vv  to  dis- 
enss  these  fundamental  principles  i  whieji  no  one 
is  cont  ro\"ert  inu' I    ;is  earnestly  as  the  I-]j»he>ians 


TIk     M<iss(  1/    School    Hill 


1  1 


cr-ird  ;m;iinst  Taul  when  llirv  iliniiLrlil  llii'ii- craft 
w  as  cinlaiiiri'rfW.  I  sliall  1 1'\  to  jikIlti' i  liciii  diari- 
talily.  and  In  concede  to  llieiii  the  imrest  aii<l  iiii»st 
uiisellisli  iii(iti\('s.  Hut,  sii-.  any  man  wlm  eiiliei* 
directly,  or  \ty  iiiiuieiidd.  cliarires  that  I,  aii<l 
tlmse  who  cooperate  willi  inc.  in  the  sil|tlioiM  of 
this  and  kindfed  measures,  are  in  ilie  sliLrlitest 
sense  or  dei:i-ee  less  de\o!ed  to  nioial  Jipi  Ilci  pies, 
less  nniidful  of  inoi-al  old  i;^a  i  ions,  or  less  faith- 
ful in  coMiplyini;:  with  llieni,  than  those  are  who 
opjiose  the  ineasUfes  We  ad\iicale,  liears  false 
witness   aiiainst    his    nei^^hhor. 

"'It  inatlei's  not  w  liefe,  of  I»y  whom,  suili  a 
chai'ue  may  lie  made  whethei-  u|ion  the  liust- 
ini:s.  ihi-ouuh  the  p(dilical  pfess,  the  reliLTious 
pi-ess.  or  in  the  |udpil  he  who  makes  it,  is  a 
false  accuser  and  a  slandei'ei-.  I  do  not  make 
these  I'eiiiarks  i-ashly.  (U-  hastily,  hut  thoULThi- 
fully,  deliheratidy,  and  without  the  siiuhlest 
feseiw  at  ion."  " 


CIIAPTEK    XI T 

THE  P.ROKKU'S  I'.ILL 

The  niiiuial  iiicrcjise  of  tlic  Stale  dcht,  by 
iiioi-c  lliaii  a  million  of  dollai's.  and  ilic  incrcas- 
inix  dissatisfaction  of  the  pcopU',  awakened  (n'en 
J'^'under  le.ii'islatoi's  to  the  necessity  of  a  coni- 
]>roniise  \\ith  l»ondliold(-i's.  A  confei-ence  willi 
theni  was  ])i'Oi)osed.  Hojiiiii];  that  satisfactory 
terms  mii,dit  be  a.iJi:i'eed  npon  and  an  amicable  set- 
tlement made,  I  s]>()ke  and  \'oted  for  a  ])roj»()sition 
to  in\"ite  bondlKdders  to  meet  a  joint  committee 
of  the  le.ii'islatnre  in  the  city  (if  Kichmond  on  a 
.tj:i\'en  <lay.  When  the  day  aii'i'eed  npon  aia-ived 
not  a  sini::le  bondholdei'  a])]>eared.  The  leiiisla- 
tive  committee  was  met  by  lion,  llni^h  McCnl- 
locli,  ]]\'-Secretary  of  the  Tnited  States  Ti-easni-y. 

He  Itronirht  a  new  Fnndinij:  i»ill  with  him 
which  had  been  framed  by  him  and  his  syndicate, 
and  ])i'inted  in  New  ^'oi'k,  witliont  any  con- 
sultation with  the  anthoi'ities  or  peo])le  of  Wv- 
i^inia.  Tfe  said  it  mnst  ])e  ])assed  ])y  the  leirisla- 
Ini'e  witliont  any  chanire  what(n"ei-.  1  wished  to 
k'liow  what  amount  of  State  Ixuids  he  and  his 
syndicate  owned  or  controlled.  lie  said  they 
did  Udt  own  or  coiiti-ol  any.  but  he  thouixlit  if 
the  Idll  he  brouii'ht  was  pi'oin]»tly  ]»assed.  witliont 
any  iiltei'ation.  they  could  intluence  boudholdei-s 
to  accejit  it.  This  bill  was  the  F>i(>kei-"s  Hill, 
sometimes  called  the  McCiilloch  Hill,  or  the  New 
I'undin^'  Hill. 

TCxaniinat  ion  of  this  bill  satistied  me  that  T 
had  no  use  for  it.     It  was,  in  my  opinion,  more 

\\2 


The    llrukn-'s   Hill 


IVA 


(ihjcci  ioiuihic  than  tlir  I'uiidiiiir  liill  of  ISTI.  It 
jin>\iil(Ml  for  ca j)itali/,iiiLr  all  unjiaid  interest 
i  llms  iiicreasiiiL;  the  ju-iiicipal  of  the  debt  ),  and 
issuing  l)nnds  for  ii.  and  for  uisinir  new  bonds 
for  those  ihat  were  then  outslandinLT.  These 
tMinds  were  to  he  non-ta xalde,  to  hear  six  jter 
ceiidiiii  j»er  aiinuin,  payahh'  senii-annnall y,  to 
ha\e  ta\-recei\ahh'  coupons  allaclied,  ami  to  h(» 
jiaitl  in  u'old  foi'ty  years  aftei-  iheir  issuance.  It 
auihiu'i/ed  tiduciai-ies  to  iuNcsi  (laisl  fiinils  in 
these  honds  without  heini,^  authori/e(i  to  (h>  s(» 
h\-  courts;  it  forced  hiddel's  of  I'eeler  honds  to 
sell  iheii-  IkukIs  at  mere  nomiiuil  prices  l>y  re- 
quirinu'  ilieir  ludders  to  accompany  them  with 
douhle  theii'  amount  of  bonds  with  la\-recei\able 
coupons;  it  autlioi-iz;ed  ihe  Auditor  of  IMiblic 
Accounts  (o  raise  money  to  pay  tiu'  semi-an- 
niia]  interest  by  issuing  cei't iticates  (tf  deitt,  sell- 
inu'  tliiMii  at  se\ cnly-tixc  cents  on  the  dollar,  and 
icdecmin^  them  six  nionihs  thei-eafter  at  their 
fair  \;ilue  uiNin.U'  one  ihdlar  for  what  he  sold 
for  se\  cut  \  tiNc  cents  six  months  befiu'e  finally, 
il  i;a\i'  llie  syndicate  exclusi\<'  riuhl  to  refund 
X'ii-uinia  bonds.  This  jjlaced  both  debior  and 
ci'edih.r  in  the  syndicate's  powci". 

Il  seems  incredible  that  a  bill  containiuLT  so 
maii\  objfci  ionablc  fcaiures.  and  not  a  single  I'e- 
dfi-lii  i  I|^•  our,  ciillbl  lia\e  been  parsed  by  a  \'ir- 
Liiiiia  li"ji--lal  uri'.  \f\  it  was  rushed  ihrouuh  the 
li'L;i--lai  lire    of    ]s~\)    with    nmst     indrcMil     liasii'. 

Tin-    Iv'i'.-ldjustrl-  cuiu  (MM  ioli    \\;is    ill   srsviiiil    at     Mo 

/lilt  llall.  1  i-iMiia  iiifd  in  the  Scnaii-  until  the 
\(>ti'  wa^  takrii.  ;iiid  the  bill  i|cclar<'d  pa^^rd,  and 
( limi   at  iciidi'd    t  111'  com  riit  ion. 

Sect  in II  ID  of  .\rtich'  o  of  the  (  "( ui^t  i I  u t  i( ui  says  : 
"No   bill    shall    become  a    law    uiuil    it    lias  been 


144     AuinhhKjraplnj    of    JoJtn    E.    Maxsaj 

read  on  Hit'ch^  (lilTcrdit  days  of  tlic  s(^ssion  in  the 
house  in  whicli  it  oi-i^inatcd,  unless  two-iliirds 
of  the  ineinbei'S  of  lluit  lionse  sliall  otiierwise  (h»- 
tei'inine." 

Ininiedialelv  n])on  tlie  introduction  of  tlie  l)ill 
a  I'esolution  was  a(h)]>ted  tixinu'  the  tini(>  for  vot- 
int;  u]»on  its  linal  i)assa,u"e  about  thi*ee  hours 
t  hei'eaft(M'.  lint  a  small  ])ortion  of  it  was  read 
Ix'foi'e  an  auiendinent  to  it  was  olTei-ed.  The 
discussion  of  this  aniendnient  consunu^d  the  time 
until  the  houi*  that  had  been  set  for  votinu'  u])on 
the  ])assa,i::t'  of  the  bill.  The  vole  was  taken  and 
th(>  bill  (h'clared  ])assed  without  its  ever  havinu^ 
been  once  read. 

r  |)re])are(l  a  ])rotest,  quot  ini!:  the  constitutional 
re(|uirement,  and  recitinii"  the  hasty  and  uncon- 
stitutional luannei'  in  which  tlie  bill  had  been 
i-ushed  thi'ouul)  the  Senate.  I  asked  to  have  this 
[ii-otest  entei-ed  u]»ou  the  jouiMial. 

The  friends  of  the  bill  saw  that  if  luy  pi'o- 
test  wei-e  made  a  ])art  of  tlie  record,  its  jtassai^e 
wdubl  be  a  nullity,  and  o]i|)osed  the  ]»i'otest's 
beiuii:  entered  U])on  the  jouT'iial.  but  tinally  con- 
ceded uty  I'iuflit  to  lia\"e  it  ihuie.  Tliey  then  I'e- 
int  i-itduce(1  the  bill  and  hui'i-ied  it  tliiMuiuh  the 
Senate,  but  were  careful  to  meet  the  ciuistitu- 
t  ioiial   i'e(|ui!-ements. 

This  bill  T'('(|uired  the  syndicate  to  fund 
ss. (KM), Odd  (,f  the  ]>ublic  debt  within  six  months 
from  iis  passau'e.  The  commissi(uiers  of  the  sink- 
iuLT  fund  allnwe(l  tliem  to  Use  the  siul^iuu"  fuuds 
to  enable  iliem  to  comitly  with  this  i-equii'ement. 
Tln-y  tlii'u  abandouc(l  tlicii'  ''  contract,"'  and  notli- 
ini:  more  was  Iward  of  them  oi'  it.  The  syndicat(^ 
was  believed  \n  have  made  5<1,000,0()0  by  their 
op«-rat  ions,  and   to  have  left  both   the  Slate  and 


The   llrohir's   Bill 


UT) 


tlic  hoiitlholdcrs  ill  worst'  coiidit icm  than  they 
found  thrill. 

When  I  hccaiuc  Auditor  of  ruhiic  Accounts 
in  IsX)  I  found  that  piati's  had  hccn  made  for 
(•n;;i-a\  iiiic  the  ccri  ilicatcs  that  were  to  lie  sohl 
fof  sc\cniy-li\-c  cents  on  i  he  (h)lhii',  to  raise  money 
to  J»ay  interest,  and  to  he  rech-emed  ol'  hoUiiht 
hack  at  one  hundfed  cents  on  the  (hdhii-  -their 
full  face  \aiuel  Such  tinancieriiiL::  wmihl  soon 
ha\t'  hanknii>led  the  Stale,  whih-  the  Amlilor 
miu'ht  ha\  t'  eni-iclied  himself  hy  i  he  opera  t  ion  ! 

A  mass  nieeiinij:  of  the  citi/eiis  tt\'  Alheiiiarle 
<  ■oiiniy  was  held  at  I  he  court  house  in  ( "harlot  I es- 
\ille  on  I'ehrnary  ^J  (  court-day  i  to  ajtpoint  dele- 
Liales  to  the  Kead justers"  coiiNcnlion  which  was 
to  asseiiilde  in  the  city  of  IlichuKUid  on  the  lioiji 
of   I'ehruaiy,    IsT'.K 

The  followinir  resolutions  were  unaniiiKHisly 
adopted  : 

"  IJesohcd.  1st.  Tlmt  we  earnesily  desire  an 
eiirly.  Jlisl,  eiplilalile.  ;ind  timil  set  i  leineni  of  the 
Sl;ilr    dctil. 

""LM.  'I"li;it  no  senleiiicill  will  lie  jiivl  ;ind 
ei|1lil.dile.  i>V  i;iii  he  lili;il.  which  does  IloI  fully 
re|c;|sc  \'ii-L;iliia  fl-olli  ;lll  cl;lilil  for  llif  'West 
\' irL:iiii;i  iliird';  <u-  which  includes  ;iii\  pi.iiidii 
of  ilii'  '  war.   I'ecdiivi  fuel  ion.  (ir  comiioniid   iiiier- 


"  '.\i\.  Thai  while  W  c  desil-r  ;m  e;irly  Scl  I  lenient 
of  llie  Sl;ili'  dclil.  We  lllc  U  I  i;i  1 1  el'a  I  •!  y  oppose, 1  l,> 
;in\  sel  I  leliielil  lli;||  doi's  Hot  hrillLr  the  p;l\lllellt 
of  illleli'St  cle;irly  williiu  the  power  of  llle  Sl;ile, 
willioul    ;iny     inc|-e;|se    of    ihe    r;ile    of    I;l\;iliiin.    or 

which     iiilei-feies     wiili     tilliei'    aiid     |>;iramount 
St;lle    iuteresls. 


140     Aiitnhiogrophy    of    Jolin    E.    Miis^cy 

*'  4tli.  That  the  preservation  of  the  fiiiu'tions 
of  tlie  (Joveriinient,  the  8up])ort  of  lier  asylums 
foi'  the  insane,  and  her  institutions  for  the  (U^af, 
(Inuib,  and  blind,  and  the  maintenance  of  her  sys- 
tem  of  i)ul>lie  ediH-atiou  are  paramount   duties. 

"  oth.  That  the  control  of  her  revenues 
thi'ou^ii,h  her  le^^islat nre,  regularly  chosen,  is  a 
sovereig'u  right  of  which  no  one  legislature  has 
the  right,  or  the  power,  to  divest  tli(>  Stat(^ 

"  (ith.  That  we  heartily  ap])rove  the  calling 
f>f  a  convention  of  Keadjusters  to  be  held  in  the 
city  of  Kichmond,  on  the  2r)tli  instant,  for  the 
])urposes  of  mutual  conference,  and  more  thor- 
ougli  organization.'' 

The  chairman  was  authorized  to  appoint  five 
delegates  from  each  pi'ecinct  to  re])resent  this 
county  in  tln^  convention  in  Kichmond,  to  which 
delegation  were  added  Albemarle's  re])i'esenta- 
tives  in  the  Vii'ginia  legislatni*e,  and  any  known 
licadjusters   visiting  liichmond  at  that  time. 


CllAPTKlI    XllI 

Tin:  UKAD.J  I  sti;k  I'Autv 

I  SAW  no  hojH'  of  iiit'din^  ilic  ctirrciit  ('X[)t'iis('.s 
of  ilic  Stale,  iiiaiiiiainini:;  her  ctliicat  ioiial  inlrr- 
t>is.  aiiil  li^lilciiin^  llic  hiirdciis  of  the  taxpayers, 
so  lout;'  as  there  was  a  iiiajoi-ity  of  I'liiiders  in 
1  he  h'uishillll-e. 

1  had  no  desife  fof,  iiof  thought  of,  a  new 
jiaii_\.  hilt  e\j>eete<l  to  accomplish  iiiv  ohject  in, 
and  hy,  the  ( 'onser\ali\('  paily.  I  believed  if 
the  ]M'o](le  wei-e  ]il-o])efly  infol'ilied  iheV  Wdtlld 
<-le(i  a  le^islal  iii-e  fa\()fal»le  to  the  nieasiifes  I 
was  aii\()(  at  iiii:.  and  1  did  iidi  wish  to  return  to 
the  h-i:islat  life  uidess  I  could  liaN'e  a  iiiajoi'ity 
of  iis  iiieinhei's  williiiLC  '<>  co-opefate  wilh  uie. 
Ileiicc  1  deieriuiiied  to  lea\t'  luy  own  district 
and  lo  can\ass  the  eiilife  State  at  the  risk  of 
my  own  defeat.     This  was  in    l>7It. 

(ifi'ally  to  my  surjuise  and  re;^'f<'t,  the  State 
I  !\<-riii  i\  ('  ('(iiiimiitee  expfjied  from.  Of  "read 
iHii  (if,""  the  jiafl\-  all  who  nppu>cd  the  Ufoker's 
I'.ill.  This  dlo\e  iiead  jlistefs  til  the  necessity  of 
aha  udiiiii  m:  theif  pf  i  iMi|iles,  of  of  formiu^T  ;i  new 
[lai'iy.  When  the  L'ead  jiistefs  met  in  coincn- 
linii  at  Mo/aii  llall  in  liichmond  mi  the  LTjth 
•  if  I"ihfnai-v,  I'^T'.i.  a  new  paity  was  formed  and 
<alled  the  licadjuslrf  jKlIIy.  As  the  (|Uestiuns 
alMiiii  wliiiji  we  dilt'ei'cd  had  no  cnmn'ciidn  with 
iiaiiMnal  pMliiics,  hut  were  strictly  local.  Itotli 
< 'onseiA  at  i\  e^  and  lo-puhlicans  wci'e  fouml  on 
each  side  of  the  (piesi  ion.     The  parties  arraiiziied 

117 


148     Aut<)l)io(jr(i})hii    of    John    E.    MasHvy 

n^aiiisi  each  otluT  were  thcuccforwai'd  known  as 
I'undci's  and  Kcadjnstcrs,  respectively. 

What  was  the  real  issue  between  these  ])arties? 
One  j)arty  claimed  that  the  new  State  of  Vir- 
<iinia  was  hound  by  an  irrepealable  contract  for 
the  (lel)t  of  the  old  State  as  ascei-tained  and  as- 
sumed by  the  I'^'undiui?  Uill  of  ISTl.  Th(i  otlier 
])ai'ty  denied  that  that  bill  constituted  an  irre- 
]»ealable  conti-act  ;  and  denied  the  riiiht  or  ])ower 
of  one  lei^islature  so  to  disjtose  of  the  future 
T-e\"enues  of  the  Slate  as  to  de|u-i\'e  future  legis- 
latures of  the  power  and  riiiiit    to  conti-ol  theiu. 

These  (piestions  were  entirely  se])arate  aud 
distinct  f]-om  national  ]K)litics.  Hence  each  of 
these  )>ai"ties  was  comjtosed  of  both  Democi-ats 
and    liepublicans. 

The  names  which  most  eori'ectly  (h'fined  the 
difference  between  thes<'  i>arties  were  "  l-^unders" 
and  "  licadjusters."  No  odiuui,  or  o])])iobrium, 
was  attached  to  eithei*  of  these  names.  The 
l-'under  ])i-ess  and  sjx'akei's  called  Keadjusters 
'•  repiidiatoi-s  and  coalitionists.""  I  knew  of  no 
IJead  justei-s  iliat  ^xci'e  Keadjusters  from  ])rin- 
ciple  that  wei'e  r<'])udia toi-s.  If  the  uiii(Ui  (tf 
Democi'ats  and  Kepublicans  made  eilhei'  party 
('(Ki/iU'iiiisls.  it  made  hotli  parties  so.  1  am  not 
awai'e  that  K'ead  juster  s])eakeis  e\-ei- apjilied  this 
term  lo  I'limh'rs:  but  l'"inideis  a])plie(j  it  to  Ke- 
adjusters until  it  liecame  olfeusix-e,  aud  it  was 
used  , IS  a  term  of  i'e|)roach.  It  was  so  confounded 
with  the  name  ^''  Keadjuster ""  tiiat  many  seemed 
to  rciiard  it  a  ]ii-opci-  ajijicllat  ion.  \]\r\\  now 
men  wi-jte  and  speak  of  *'  Keadjnstci-s  or  ('oali- 
tionists"  as  if  tlies<'  titles  wei'c  synonyimMis. 
lie  who  does  this  is  ii^n(U'ant,  thoui^ht less,  or 
])rejudice(l. 


TJir    I\rii(Iji(slrr    r<irh/ 


11!) 


T  liojH'  IK)  iiKiii  will  cvci*  Mt,Min  siultif.v  liiinscif 
by  usini;  the  tmii  "  lu-adjuslrr  or  ( 'oalit  ionist," 
<ti-  tlir  still  more  ()tVciisi\  c  ici-iii  "  Kcadjust.T  or 
Maiioiic  ]>arty." 


Till'  tinaiucs  of  (he  Slate  were  ht'comin^  more 
desperate  each  year.  lief  liaiiilities  were  in- 
efeasiiii;,  and  lief  assets,  oj*  taxable  \alues,  were 
deeivasiii^.  'I'lie  a j)|)fo[»i'iat  ioiis  to  her  eleemosy- 
nary and  educational  institutions  wt-i-e  unj)aid, 
and  her  treasur\'  was  empty.  llei-  leirislalors 
talked  elo<|uently  ahout  the  honor  and  the  credit 
(•f  th<'  State,  hut  took  no  ste]>  to  |»roiect  them. 
They  were  prolitic  in  jiromises,  hut  projxised  no 
jiraciicahle   \\;\y   for  redeemini;'  them. 

I  lost  all  hope  of  rescuiim'  tin'  Stale  froui  her 
j»ei-ilous  condition  until  the  people  could  he  in- 
formed as  to  their  danu'er  and  induce(j  to  send 
jii-aclical  husiness  men  to  the  IcL^islat  ure.  .\fler 
the  adjournmeid  of  the  h'^islal  ure.  llonoraldes 
dames  r.arhour,  Abraham  I'ulkerson,  and  a  few 
others,  who  had  co-oiiei-aled  with  us.  met  to  talk 
o\er  our  seeminuly  helpless  condiiiou  and  to  de- 
\  ise  measures  (d'  relief.  I  |»ro|Ktsed  a  general 
campaiLiii  of  education  that  we  shiuild  ihor- 
oimhly  |Misi  oursel\-es  with  indispulalde  facisand 

lilZUres,    e:in\ass    the   entire    Slate,    L;i\e    the    people 

tli<'<c   fads  and   tiLiUfes,  and   ap|M',i|.   noi    to   iheii- 

passions  and    pl'c  jud  ices,    hui    to   their    i  nl  ell  iLlriice 

ami  llii'ii-  si'iisc  of  riulii  and  justice.  All  a^iiei'd 
that  this  was  ilif  hest  course  to  |tursue.  luii  iioue 
of  them  was  willim:'  to  undeiMake  a  woi'k  I'eipiir- 
iiiLT  such  lalioi'  ;ind  saei-itice.  i  did  iioi  w  i<li  to 
return  to  ihe  Seiiaie  in  a  helpless  miuoriiy.  ami 
I  said  1  Would  canvass  the  Slate  if  I  lost  luy 
own  elect  ion  h\'  it. 


ir»0     A  iilohiofp-apln/    of    John    IJ.    Mds.snj 

1  met  Ceil.  William  Malione  for  the  fwat  time 
a  shoit  w  liilc  before  tlie  adjournment  of  tlie  legis- 
lanii-c  of  1n7S-"7!>.  He  was  l>rain_v,  magnetic, 
plausible;  and  he  was  a  tine  organizer.  He  was 
a  leading  J)einoerat,  and  liad  been  a  prominent 
eaiKJidaie  before  the  gubernatorial  convention  for 
noiiiiiiai  ion  for  (io\('rnor  of  A'irginia  at  the  time 
that   (iovernoi-  Hollidav  was  nominated. 

<"ol.  Abraham  h'ulkerson,  of  ^Vashington 
("oiiiitv,  who  eo-opei'ated  with  me,  was  one  of  the 
bi-ainiest  men  in  the  Senate.  He  was  a  friend 
of  (lenei-al  .Mahon(\  to  ^^•hom  he  sent  a  copy  of 
m,v  ]tami)hlet  "Debts  and  Taxes,""  and  whom  he 
ad\"ised    to   es])ouse   the   cause   of    Keadjust ment. 

(ieiieral  -Mahoiie  i-e(]uested  an  intei-\ie\v  with 
Colomd  I'ulkei'son,  and  said  that  my  pami)ldet 
had  entirely  changed  his  views,  and  that  lie 
should  es])ouse  our  cause  and  heailily  co-operate 
with  us. 

The  Keadjuster  i»arty  a\  as  organized  at  Mozart 
Hall,  IJichmoud,  in  l-^'bruary,  1S71>.  Tin' oj)posing 
])ariies  in  \'irginia  were  tluui  designated  Fund- 
ei's  and    Keadjusters,  I'cspect  ively. 

The  I"nndei's  had  great  advantage  in  tlu^  con- 
lest.  They  held  all  the  otlices,  State  ami  county; 
owned  the  entii'e  ]>i'ess  of  the  Slate;  were  Wtdl 
snitjilie(l  \\  ii  h  money  and  sjteakei's  ;  and  were  well 
oi-ganized. 

The  Keadjns1ei-s  held  no  ohices,  did  not  own 
a  single  new  spajtei',  had  ])ut  few  sj>ealvers,  but  lit- 
tle iiKniey.  and  n«»  oi-ganizat  ion. 

li  seenieil  almost  hopeless  to  make  a  canxass 
againsi    such    feaifnl   (ulds. 

(Ii'ti.  William  MalioTie  owned  the  JJichmoml 
M7//r;.  a  new  spapei'  ])ublislied  in  K'ichmoml  city. 
Wlieii  he  espoused  the  caus(^  of  ileadjustmcnt,  he 


77/''    I*'  ih! jiisii  /■    I'll ti  If 


ir.i 


iii;i'l<-   it    tin-    Kfad  jusitT  orLMii.  ;iii<l    it  hfcaiiif   ;i 
\  .iliKililf  ;ni\ili;ii'v  Id  t  In-  r;iii<r. 

I    i;i  ii\;iss<m1     tin-     wIm'Ii-     Sl;iic.     ;il  my     own 

ili;i  iLT''^.    ;itul     wfiit     to    ••\.'i-y    coiiiiiy  in     it.       I 

lll'>lii_'lil    it    ImnI    to  Iti'i^'itl   ;iI    lioliir.   ;iIIi1    I    j  il)  I  il  i  <l|t'<  1 

;i    iioiiif  ili;ii    I    woiiM  ;i<Mffv>  tlif  rili/.i-ii<  (tf  Al- 
btiiiM  rl"'  oil  tln-if  foiift -day.   Apfil   7.   I'^T".*. 


CHAPTEli    XIV 

THE    CAMTAKiX    OF    1870 

It  lias  been  said  tliat  the  ('ani])ai,ii:n  of  1S79 
was  flic  most  excitin.u;  in  the  historv  of  the  i)o]i- 
tics  of  the  State.  To  <»ive  some  iih'a  of  the  eaii- 
vass  I  shall  (jiiote  freely  fiom  the  rej)orls  made 
by  the  (•oi'res]M)iideiits  of  the  Ivichmond  Whi;/. 
which  was  at  that  time  the  Jveadjiislcr  or^aii. 
The  liroker's  IJill  was  the  (juestion  at  issue. 

The  canvass,  as  heretofore  stated,  was  com- 
menced at  Charlottesville,  at  the  April  term  of 
the  Albemarle  Court.  The  next  <liscussion  was 
at  Wytheville,  in  ^^'ythe  County,  and  was  re- 
jxu'ted  as  follows : 

''Jlon.  John  W.  Daniel  took  the  stand  for  an 
hour  and  a  half.  Major  Daniel  is  a  gentleman 
of  tine  ])ersonal  apix'arauce,  graceful  mauuer, 
and  silver  tonuue;  and  would  do  ci-edit  to  any 
cause  he  mi.u"ht  (^s|»ouse.  His  sjx'cch  was  tilled 
with  beautiful  tliuiils  of  elo(iuence,  and  elicited 
the  warmest  a])]»hiuse  of  his  fi'ieuds.  Majoi' 
Daniel  certainly  met  the  e\])eetat  ions  of  his 
friends,  aiul  therefore  should  be  well  satisfied 
with  his  elVoi't.  lie  endeaxored  lo  show  that  the 
IJrokei-'s  ISill  is  a  fail'  conipi-omise,  and  all  we 
could  do  undei'  the  cii-eumsiaTices ;  but  we  must 
say  that  he,  with  ui-eat  adi'oitness,  sei/j-d  uj)on 
the  strong  points  of  the  bill,  and  discussed  them 
with  ability,  luit  skillfully  dodged  the  iiidst  ob- 
jectionable, unjust,  and  unccuist  it  ut  ional  ones. 
J  lis  sju'cch   was  supported  by  facts  and  figures 

U9 


The    Cum jtditjn    of    ISVJ 


1  :> ;{ 


fi'iiiii  liis  si;inili«tiiil.  ncNcri  liflcss  falliiciniis.  Uut 
lit'  iiiailc  llif  iiidsl  that  (•(Mild  Ix'  made  out  of 
this  \ci-\  l>a<i  Iiill  (tf  the  tirokcrs. 

'•||uii.  .Foliii  1].  Massfv.  of  Alhi'iiiarlf.  citii- 
cliiiicil  llir  (lisciissioii  in  Miic  (if  ihc  iiKisl  jiuwci'- 
fiil  siircclics  ('\ci-  <l('l  i\  ci-cil  in  W'yihc.  Il  struck 
t('ff(ir  to  tilt'  lifcasts  of  the  <»j»itosit  ioii,  ami  was  a 
w  t'IcKiiic  stiuuii  to  the  cafs  of  h'fatl  jiistffs.  liis 
sitffcli  was  coiiitfoiis.  f|('\att'iK  aiitj  t'|(»(|n.'iit  ; 
ami  lit'  siilistaiit  iaily  jiffsciiicd  tlif  following 
I>iiiiiis  : 

'■   lie    said     tilt'    (|ll('Stioil     was    tllc    set  I  Iclllt'llt     of 

the  Slate  dclit,  and  spoke  of  tlie  i^reat  anxiety 
lie  had  ftif  its  seltleiliellt  a  set  t  lenient  to  suit 
the  people's  watiis  that  he  had  lieen  wtirkitiLT  ftif 
it    fofyeafs.      lie   fa\tii-ed   a   confefenee  with    the 

creiiitofS       hllt    not    a    eonfel-enec   with    t  he  ItftikefS. 

lie  had   oj)|»ose<l  a    K'eatlj  list  el's"  con  \  cti  t  it  m.   if  a 

CiUlfel'ence  coillil  lia\('  Iteelj  olttailied  willl  the 
cfedilofs.  ami  a  LTooiI  aLTfeellienl  made.  lie  was 
wijlim;  to  collcetle  niofe  than  he  helie\c<l  to  lie 
et|llitali|e  to  sect!  fe  a  titial  seltleniellt.  Said  he: 
'  \\li.\-  then  did  I  mil  acceiil  the  r.rokef's  Hill? 
r.fcanse    it    is  delnsi\-e;   a    <lt'ce|it  itin.' 

'•  I'ifsl,  it  jifofesses  to  fedljce  the  fate  of  in- 
lefest  to  three  |ief  cellt.  ftif  ten  yeafs.  ami  he 
explaiiieil  this  fallacy.  Sectmtl.  it  professes  to 
feilijce  lo  four  per  cent,  ft  if  t  w  fiity  yeafs.     Thiftl, 

il     pI'ot'i-s~-eS    to    lie    the    I'esilll     of    a    conference    lie- 

I  w  fi'ii  I  he  (  1  em 'fa  I  .\  sst'ii  1 1  dy  t  if  I  he  Si  ate.  w  hefeas 
it  is  ihe  [ifopo^il  ion  tif  |\\(i  companies  of  lifokefs 
in  New  ^'tlI•k  ami  lliejlaml.  I'oiifiii.  it  makes  a 
colli  fact  with  t  hese  foi'ei^-n  cofpofai  ion<,  or  lifok- 
efs. to  Lri\i'  them    the  e\idl]si\t'  fiLTllt    to  feflind    the 

A'irLi'inia  liomls,  thus  forcing:  the  ci-editors  of  \'ir- 
U'inia    into  the  hamls  tif  forei^ni  s\iidicates  to  lie 


^~yi     Aulohloijraphy    of    John    E.    .1/(/.s'.s'r// 

sliavcd  and  sjK'cnlatt'd  on  at  their  ploasuiv. 
I'iftli,  it  sa])s  the  very  fonndallon  of  State  sov- 
ereignty and  inde])endence  l)y  divest  in^-  lier  of 
tlie  ])()\vei'  to  contrcd  her  own  I'evennes  for  forty 
years.  Tliis  is  done  \)\  tlie  obnoxions  eonj)on. 
Sixth,  it  increases  tlie  State's  liabilities  by  con- 
vert injj:  interest  into  ])riTici])al.  Seventh,  it  dis- 
ci'iiiiinates  unjnstly  in  favoi-  of  consol  and 
ai^ainst  "peeler  bonds — ])ays  fnll  intei'cst  on  con- 
sol  and  half  interest  on  '])eeler.  h^ii^hth,  it  dis- 
criminates aii'ainst  the  laborer  and  the  land- 
owner, and  in  favor  of  the  moneyed  man,  by 
niakinu:  the  bonds  non-taxable  (see  T'onstitnt  ion, 
r'haj»ter  1(1,  1st  Section).  Ninth,  it  allows  for- 
eiii'ii  syndicates  to  acce])t  or  to  reject  it,  but  uives 
no  such  ()]»tion  to  the  jieojile.  T(^nth,  it  allows 
the  boudholdei's  to  convert  our  debt  into  a  (jold 
debt.  lOleventh,  it  ]»le<l,ii'es  Viriiinia  to  neii'otiate 
with  West  ^'il•^•inia  foi-  the  s(Mtlemeut  of  ^Vest 
VirLrinia's  third.  Twelfth,  it  authorizes  execu- 
tors, administrators,  and  other  tiduciaries  to 
in\'est  in  bonds  issued  undei-  it,  thus  enablini!; 
them  to  speculate  with  the  money  of  tlit'ir 
A\ards,  or  belonii'im;  to  estates  in  their  hands. 
'I'hirteent h.  it  ])i-o\i(ies  foi-  an  annual  iiicT'case  of 
the  liabilities  of  the  State  by  aullioriziiiLr  llie 
Auditoi'  to  issue  an  imlefiuite  inimbei*  of  tax- 
recei\-able  c<'rtilieafes  which  may  be  sold  at  sev- 
<'Uty-ti\('  cents  on  the  dollar.  I'ourteenlh,  its 
etiect  will  be  to  ci-i])|ile  the  ]ud»lic  schools.  cIol:; 
the  wheels  of  u;o\-ei'nment ,  di\'ert  cajMlal  fi-om 
]iro(]ucti\('  iidei'ests,  create  a  fa\-oi-ed  class,  and 
make  the  rich   richer,  and  the  j»ooi'  poorei'. 

".Mr.  .Massey  then  I'cad  fi-om  a  s|)eecli  of  lion. 
A.  A.  rhlei^ai",  of  Moufu'omery  County,  in  i  he 
Senate,  as  follows: 


'Ill  I    ( '(I in  /miiiii   i)j    l^'^'.i  I7ut 

"  '  Afr.  riTsidnii  :  I  dcsii-c  tncxjilniii  m_v  Note 
oil  Ilir  jliiiriKliiH'iit  to  the  ;i  iih'IhI  lin'Mt  i>ro|iosr(l  hy 
ilir  Senator  fi'oiii  Kifliiiiond.  iMMaiisc  my  i-casons 
(litl'cr  fi'oiii  those  Lri\»'ii  l>y  liiin.  I  think  the 
aiiieliilliieni  pro]Mise<l  \)\  (he  llon^eof  l)ch'LraIeS 
is  a  w  I'oiii;  to  the  State,  and  ?iol  to  the  ci-ediior; 
ihai  ii  will  iioi  JMree  one  coiiiion  Ifnid  into  the 
fnndinu'  |n-oeess,  Init  will  foi'ce  ihi'  Siale  to  in- 
crease her  taxation.  \\  itlnMiI  a  eoi-i-esiiondiiiLr  hen- 
etii   lo  the  State.     She  mnst   raise  enonuh  i'e\.Miii(» 

to  meet  the  celM  i  tlea  I  es,  anil  yet  \'nV  SKKI  iif  cel'- 
lilieales  she  recei\('S  Iillt  S7o,  with  II  |iays  hut 
S7o.  and  reeei\cs  luit  six  nionihs'  levpiie.  In 
other  words  she  pays  interest  at  the  rale  n\'  ."  1  l' 
pel'  eenl.  pel'  month  foi-  the  money  raised.  I  ;im 
nnwillini:  hy  my  \oie  to  |)jace  the  Slate  in  ihai 
posiiimi.  amh  therefore,  \"ote  for  the  amendment 

to  ihe  amemlmelll,  as  pI'o])osed  hy  the  lliiuse  (if 
i>ele-a|,.S.- 

'•.Mr.  .Massey  said  the  principal  of  ihe  del)t 
nnder  the  lli'okei-'s  I'dll  will  he  .'<:•,::, ()(H),(M)().  The 
iniei-est    thereon   for   10  years  will   he  as  fMlh'Ws: 

••The    whole    Teeler   dehl.    which    is    .V 1  •_».()()().()()( ), 

will  hear  three  per  cent,  for  ten  years  \']-<<\\\  dati- 
iiary    1.    1  ^Tli.  a  mount  ini:  to  s;'.t;()(), ()()(). 

••  The  .V-_M1. 00(1. (10(1  ,,f  eonsol   deht    will    Ite   fMnde(l 

as  follows,  and  heai'  interest  thus:  I'rom  dan- 
iia  ry   I ,   I  ^T'.t,  to 

dilh      1.     1  s7!t..  .  .•<-_>0.00()_0(IO      ;il    ('.■      .,S     COO. Olio 

Jati'v  1,  i^^o...  r..:',;*.;;..",:*,.", I  at  :'.':..  sdjmio 

dan'x  I.  i^^o...  M. (;•;(;.(;(■,(;■;  ;ii  (■,'  iio.ooo 

dulv  I.  isso...  ::.;{;',:'...".:;:;  1  ;it  :;     ..  .".o.ooo 

duly  I,  i^^o..  .  1 1,:;::::.:;:;;:'^  at  c     . .  ruo.ooo 

daii'y  I.  is^i.. .  :;,:::i:i. :;;;::';  at  (;- ,  . .  r.o,ooo 

dan'N    I,    jssl,..      S, 000, 000      at    C' ,   ..        I'lO.OtM) 


150     Ai(l<)hi')(jr(ij)liij    of    John    K.    Masscy 
Jan'y   1,   ISS !,...«  ;U.'n,:?3:V',   at   ?,'/<  .  .|      50,000 

Jniv  1,  issi,..    4,(;i;(;,(;r)r>-:^  at  o^ ; . .     140,000 

Jaii'v  1,  1SS2,..  a,:W8,XW.i  at  :V',  .  .  50,000 
Jan'v  1,  1SS2,..  1  ,n33,:i.T^\  at  i;^;  ..  40,000 
Jaii.'l,  71M  7. vrs) 20,000,000     at  :V/<  ..    4,200,000 

Interest  aloiK^  for  10  years i?0,SOO,000 

Add  cost  of  fiindinir,  say 50,000 

Aiiiiiial  oil  bonds,  wliich  Is  to  ]»e  re- 
mitted, S(;(;,000  for  10  years 000.000 

Coupons  ontstandin.i;  to  A])i'il   1,  1S70  SOO.OOO 

Ari'eara.uvs   to   seliools    1,000,000 

Arrearao-es  to  asylums 200,000 

AcciMied  and  nn])aid  interest  on  Lit- 
erary Fund    20.3,273 

Annual  interest  on  the  Literarv  Fund 

for  10  years '. 843,400 

Total   |13,G00,7<;3 

To  be  raised  each  year  in  10  years, 
in  addition  to  what  is  necc^ssai'v  to 
support  the  <!:overnnient  and  the  free 
schools,  each  year 81,309,570 

The  \\liole  amount  a])]dicable  to  these 
])Ui']>oses  at  the  ])resent  rate  of  tax- 
aticui  is 072,202 

Fea\iTii;  an  annual  deficiency  of !^307,'>14 

The  assessment  of  ISSO,  it  is  believed, 

\\ill  T'educe  the  revenues  at  least.  .  .  .       250,000 

"^[nkiniran  annual  deficiency  of ?047,31  4 

under  the  I'i'oker's  IJill  which  \\\\]  require  an 
increase  of  taxation.  The  amount  necessary  to 
})e  raised  to  pay  interest  alone  on  the  debt  and 


Till     <  'd III  juiliin    >)f    /.s'7.'' 


1." 


I.itcrarv  I-'imd  will  avcr.i;::)-  Si  ,:>l!r>,(l()0  for  foi'ty 
yc;ii-s.  ;ii:i:r('.:i:;it  iiii:  I  In-  sum  t>\'  s.~,:;.()()(),(l()().  Ami 
lliri-c  is  III)  acrniinl  t.ikfii  of  till'  Sinking  I'und, 
wliitli  is  |)i-iiiri|ial.  sr)j;',(l,s71  .ltd  ;  acci-iif(l  iiitcr- 
rsi.  s;;(i7.r.7l.i:;;  (uial.  s:.. i.'isj  i;:.(i:i. 

••  'rill'  riii-i';:i)ini!:  fully  sustains  his  \ir\\s  of  the 
alisiiliiic  iiiTcssiiy  lit'  an  iurn-asr  of  laxaliiui  if 
tlir    r.i'iikrr's    r.ill    is   iHit    ilcfraiiMl    liy    n'|M'al   or 

ii!  lli'I-W  isi'. 

••'rill'  iTply  (if  .Mr.  .Masscy  to  tlir  arLi'inncut  of 
liis  iippMiii'Ul   was  w  il  licriim"  ami  criisliiiiLr. 

"  'riir  lii'st  illustration  of  tlir  I'l'fcrt  of  Si'iiator 
Mass.'\"s  s|n'crli  is  furuislicd  l»y  an  iiiciiirnt  that 
orciiri  I'll.  W  hill'  .Mr.  .Masscy  was  layiuLT  on  the 
lilow>  fast  ami  hcaxy.  om-  olil  man.  a  I'limh'r,  in 
t  he  ri-iiw  il.  who  hail  listi'iii'd  loni:  t  o  t  hr  srou  ririnLT 
till'  ailxixali'  of  the  Ufokor's  j'.ill  was  roccix  iiiL!;. 
craiki'il  his  lists  toLict  lior,  ami  with  a  woc-hr^om' 
(•\  pirssii  ui.  cxrla  iiiicil  :  '  I  wish  to  (Jod  that  old 
L^fay  hradfil  fi'llow  would  stop!  Ilo's  too  hard 
on    I  jia  t   y oil  III,'  man  !  "  " 

()ni'  >>f  till'  li\('lii'st  discussions  of  the  cam- 
paimi  tMiik  plai-oat  Liltri'ty.  in  ru'dford  ("oiiniy. 
a  inl   w  as  ii'[iori  (-i]  as  follow  s  : 


••  This  has  hmi  ihr  Ii\r]ii'sl  day  this  idd  town 
has  xi'ii  \'o]-  many  years.  Si'iialor  .Inhn  \\.  Mas- 
si'\.   (if   .\  llicma  I'll',    had    In'on    iiiNilcd    to   address 

ihi'     rili/cns     (if     Urdfiil'd     UpiMI     till'     issUrS     iif     till' 

(an\av<.  (Idi.  .lames  .\.  Walker  and  .Maj.  .lulin 
W.  haniel  had  lieeii  in\iled  liy  adxneaies  of  the 
•  r.rokeiVs  r.ill  ■  to  meet  liiiii.  It  was;i'^ree(|  that 
Seiiahir  ,Ma--se\  should  npeii  the  dis<  u^xjcm  in  ;i 
speech  (if  an  lidiir  and  a  ipiarier;  thai  (ieiieral 
Walker     and      .Major     Daniel     should     rejily     in 


ir»S     A  iilohioj/rajiliif    of    JoJni    K.    Mussvy 

sjK'cclics  of  (lio  saiiio  Iciiuili ;  iiiid  tlml  Mr.  >rnss('_v 
slionld  li;i\('  tlie  sinuc  lime  io  close  the  disciis- 
sioii.  'I'lic  (lisciissidii  toolv  ])l;ic('  ill  ;i  liiruc  \\;ir(>- 
lioiisc.  ^\ili(•ll  w;is  filled  t(»  ils  iihiinsl  e;i|»;ieil,\\ 
'IMie  ci'owd  \\;is  liii-Liclv  willi  Wallxcr  and  l)aiiiel, 
l»iit  liad  ne\('r  lieai-d  tlic  issues  of  ilie  (  amass  dis- 
(Missed.  II  was  Mr.  ^Iasse\'s  (irsi  \isii  (o  lled- 
ford. 

•*  .Ml'.  ]\Iassev  made  one  of  ilie  ablest,  most 
logical  and  ar,ii:inii(Mitati\('  s]»e(^eli(^s;  evei*  lieard 
ill  iliis  eoiiiity.  lie  u'avc  a  concise  and  conncclei] 
siateiiieiil  of  \'ii'ui nia's  jirosjierity  and  financial 
I'esoiirces  liefoi'e  jlie  wai';  of  liei'  d ismciidiernicnf 
diiriiiij;  ilie  war;  of  (lie  desiiaiciion  of  liei'  vc^- 
soni-ces  by  (lie  w  a  I- ;  of  liei-  beiiiLi:  licld  as  M  ili(ary 
l)is(T-ic(  \o.  1  foi-  In-e  years  af(er  (lio  \\[\v\  of 
her  beiiiLi;  conijxdled  (o  acce]i(  an  obnoxious  con- 
si  it  n(  ion  made,  not  bv  liei'  own  ci(i/ens,  bn(  by 
lier  enemies:  of  (lie  l^nndinLi:  T>ill  1lia(  bad  been 
fois(e(l  npoii  ns  b\  (lilbeT't  (\  Wal]<ei',  an  ad- 
A'cndirei'  from  New  Yoi'l<  ;  lie  (old  liow  (lie  jieo- 
]ib'  bad  reiindia(ed  (lia(  moasni'e  and  bad  sent 
men  (o  (be  b-ii'islalni'e  (o  i-epeal  i(.  and  bow  (bey 
bad  been  fooled  and  disa])]toin(e«l  by  (be  ])as- 
sMii'e  of  anodiei*  fnmlintr  bill,  (bo  '  r»i'o]<eT'*s  Tdlb' 
wlii<-b  bo  said  was  moi'o  obiec(  ionable  (ban  (bo 
I'lindinLT  I'dll  of  1S71.  He  oxiilaiiied  i(s  \aT'ions 
f(ni\i<ions  i(eiii  by  i(em,  and  wlion  lie  bad  fin- 
islied  disseeiimr  i(.  bis  lieai'OT's  wondei'cd  bow  an\' 
fail' niindeil  man  cdiild  lwn"o  sn]tpor(e(l  i(.  "S\v. 
Massey  \\as(ed  no  (ime  on  side  issues,  or  jiei'- 
soTl;i1i(  ie<.  bill  went  dil'eetly  in((t  bis  subject  as  a 
lawyci-  would   who  had  a   life  and  de;iih   case  io 

]ilc;id.        The    siibjeca     was    noW     to    ;he     iH'dple    of 

J'.eilford.  They  had  ne\or  heard  it  disciis'^ed. 
'IMioir  symjiadiios  woro  airainst  ^li'.  Massey's  side 


77/'     <^'<nii {I'liiiii    of    />7.'' 


ir.'j 


<»f  tile  (|llrsli(ili;  ItUt  lit'  sooll  ((iIlN  ilirt'd  tllrlii  tli;it 
III'  u  ;is  rii,'lit,  ;i  11(1  lli;it  lit'  w  ;is  ;ii|\  (((ill  illU'  w  li;il  lu' 
hi'li<'\ft|  wtiiiltj  hclictil  lliclii.  'riii'l'c  \\;is  hill  lil- 
I  It'  ;ili|>l;iiisi'  (JiiriTii;  t  ln'  ciirl y  [mi'i  nf  .M  r.  .M;issc\  's 
siH'fcli  ;  hill  it  S(ii»!i  hi'i:;m.  ;iiii|  ils  i  lit  Tcjisc.  ;is  he 
|n-i)C('t'(|('(j.  sliDwi'd  ili;ii  lif  \\;is  tiirryiiiL:  lli''  I't-it 
I'll'  wiili  lli  III.  W  lit '11  his  tiiiii'  \\;is  lip  it  \\;is  i'\  i- 
ilcllt  tluit  III'  li.ltj  (•()li\ilitt'il  ;i  hir^i'  |i;irt  nf  till' 
ffitu  il  t  li;i  t  111'  w  ;is  riLTlil. 

<  ii'!iff;il  Wnlkt'i'  tiHik  tilt'  st;iiiil  ;is  Mi-.  M.i-^cy 
IiHik  his  si';it.  (It'iiri-;il  \\';ilki'f  is  ;ili  ;ih|.'  iiiiiii 
;iiitl  III'  fully  siisi;i  iiifi  j  his  ri'imi  ;i  t  ii  m  mi  this 
lit  r;isi(iii.  It  is  (hmlit  fill  whi'iln'f  lir  i-M'V  iiiinh' 
;in  nhh'i'  s|ii'i'c|i  tli;iii  hi'  iliil  tuthiy.  Mr  r;iihff 
iii.iiTi'il  it  hy  his  |(rfsiiii;il  t  li  fiisl  s  ;i  (  Mi".  M  ,t-~--,.\ , 
wliMiii  III'  ili;ir;iitt'fi/('i|  ;is  Kini:'  IJiiliM  nl  wiih  his 
white    |i|iiiiii'    \\;i\iliLr.    1  r;i  \  cliiiL:'    '^rv    ihc    St;ili' 

hlllllillL:     mIVicI'.         'rilfSr     llll'llStS     Wj'l'i'     lllMijr      ill     ;i 

plr;is;iiii    ;iiii|    h  ii  im  ift  ills   \\;iy.   In  i\\  r\  ff. 

'•  <  "irlli'r;il    \\';ilkfr    Si'cllirtl    In    h.l\i'    ^tUiiii'il    till' 

r.rtikt'i-'s  Hill  pi-i'tty  I  htiftniLihl  \ .  ;iiii|  lir  ninth'  n 
M'Py  [ihiMsihlf  I'Xphi  lint  imi  ninl  ilrffini'  nf  ii.  Ih' 
rlninn-il  thnt  it  wnsnii  i  niprt)\i'iiifiil  mi  tin'  I'liinl 
in--  r.ill  nf  1^71.  thnt  it  I'l'ijiift'il  tin'  fnlf  nf 
inti-n-st  ;intl  thus  innk  h'ss  mmiry  frnni  tlif  Stnir 
I  i-f;ism'\  .  ninl  h'fl  iiinff  fm'  tin'  jnihlif  sfhnnls. 
Ill-  III']  if\  I'll.  Ill'  snith  thnt  its  ffipi  ii'i'iiii'ii  t  s  tnuhl 
)•(•  nifi  wiiliniit  niiy  iiici-fnsf  in  tin'  fnir  nf  tn\n- 
timi:  ninl  thnt  tlnTi'  wtnihl  snmi  hf  n  Inriit'  iii- 
I  Ti'nsi'  ill  tnxnhh'  \nltii's.  It  is  hut  just  m  sn y 
thnt  (IriifrnI  Wn  lki'i-"s  ^piTch  wn^nhh'.  plnii^ihh'. 
ninl.  in  ihf  inniii.  cmi rt I'mis,  tlmnuii  imi  rnnvinc. 
iiii:.  Ill'  w;i^  lihi'i-nll\-  n jiplnmli'il  wliih'  ^-piMkiiiLr 
n  ml    u  hi'ii   lit'  fniiflinlfil. 

*•  Mn  jnr  I  )ntiii'l  fnl  hiw  cd  n  ml  w  ns  ^^Tffi  fd  with 
\nrifi'i'mis  npplntisf.    Thf  .Mnjm-  is  ninLruaiiinimis. 


IGO     A  iitohior/raj)]!}/    of    Jolm    E.    M<isf<rjf 

and  iisnally  xi'vy  coiirtcoiis,  biif  sccinod  to  linvo 
Ikm'ti  liadly  coaclHMl  foi*  lliis  occasion.  \\o  liad 
scarcely  made  an  ojx'iiiiiu:  Ix'foT'c  lie  ])itc]icd  into 
'  Scnatoi'  ^lasscy,'  wlioin  lie  cIiaT'actci-izcd  as  'a 
lawyer  without  a  In-ief.  a  ])reacliei-  without  a 
char.u:o,  a  ])oliti{'ian  willioiit  ])i'iiicii)les,  who  liad 
left  his  hiu'h  ])ositioii  in  tho  puljtit.  and  \\as  Ix^- 
drai^m'lini;:  his  sacerdotal  robes  in  the  filth  and 
niii'c  of  llie  ])olilical  ]m)o1.'  It  may  he  inft'rred 
from  this  slai't  that  his  sjxmm'Ii  was  nnnsually  se- 
V(M'o  and  hitter;  l)nt  it  was  more  so  than  any  one 
that  knows  Major  Daniel  wonld  infer. 

"]]o  s])oko  of  Senator  ^lassey  and  tho  twelve 
men  that  had  invited  him  to  sj)eal<  in  Lihei'ty  as 
^  John  and  his  twcdvo  apostles.'  lie  said  all  this 
])i'at  inir  ahont  the  so-called  ini(|nit  ies  of  the  settle- 
ment (tf  the  ])n1)lic  (h'ht  was  the  mei'cst  hahhM*- 
dash  to  deceive  and  mislead  the  ])eo|»le;  that  tlu^ 
Ileadjnstei-s,  who  wei'e  in  fact  repndiators,  did 
not  want  to  settle  the  debt;  that  its  sc^ttlement 
wonld  desti'oy  theii'  stock  in  tra(h» — theii-  ])olit- 
ical  (■ai)ital;  that  they  wei-e  liko  the  old  doctor 
that  sent  his  son  to  attend  an  old  ])atient.  The 
son  i-etni'iied,  and  ])i*on(]ly  re])oT"ted  to  the  father 
that  he  had  cnred  the  ])atient.  The  fatliei',  in 
dismay,  exclaimed,  '  "N'on  hav(^  laiined  mel  I've 
been  lixinir  (Ui  that  cancel-  for  yt^ai'sl'  The 
Majoi-  said  that  if  this  (h'bt  cancel'  wert^  cnred, 
the  I'eail Jnslers  Axonld  starve;  that  their  ho])(^  is 
to  ride  into  oHice  upon  that  hobby.  *' The  oIVkm^s,' 
s;i  id  he,  •  ;m-<'  ;i11  1  jicv  are  a  fter.' 

**' Major  Daniel  (b'Vote(l  so  much  tim(>  to  Mr. 
■>rassev  that  lie  had  bnt  little  left  for  the  discns- 
sion  of  the  debt  settlement  ;  and  when  he  took  it 
n]>  he  showed  milch  less  familiai'ity  with  it  than 
(ii'iieral  ^\'alker  had  done.     Vet,  upon  the  whole. 


Tin     ('dill  jKliqn    iij    Is",'.) 


i(;i 


he  iiiaih'  an  able  s|»fccli,  and  was  applatidt'd 
I  liruiii:lnMii  its  »l('li\  ri-\ .  Ills  fiifiids  ilinui,dit  it 
a  iiiastt'i-|»if(('.  that  it  was  tlif  txi'aiidrst  dVort  he 
(•\(  r  inadf.  and  that  In-  had  sd  coaiiih-ttdy  (h'timl- 
ishrd  Sella  tor  .MasscN  i  hat  ht-  won  hi  iif\  n-  hi-  ahh' 
to  i-tM()\t'f  fi-diu  it.  Idifinu'  the  (h'ii\ciy  of  thf 
sjM'cchcs  (tt"  (Jfiici-al  W'alkrr  and  Majup  Iianii-l, 
Mf.  .Ma^si'V  sat  Itchind  ihi-ni  with  hisaiaiis  fiilth'd 
on  his  hn-ast.  lie  iicxcr  took  a  note,  and  no  one 
conhi  si'c  any  special  coiicei-n  shown  l»y  hint. 
.Majoi'  haniel  conclnded  and  took  Ins  seat  amid 
pfolonLletl  apl'lanse.  lie  looked  as  it"  he  Wt'I'e 
Well   |)|e;i>^ed  witli  lioili  the  andience  and  himself. 

•■Senator  Massey  did  not  leaxc  his  se;it  until 
till'  a|i[ilanse  snhsided.  Me  was  so  slow  in  taking 
the  stand  that  >ome  imauim'd  hi'  wonhl  not  lejdy 
at  all.  They  soon  fonnd  that  this  was  a  \ain 
imauin;!  i  ion. 

"  lie  roiiimeiiced  in  a  maniief  that  at  oiice  fe- 
(■ei\cd  the  atleiiiioii  ot'  his  andiem-e;  and  he  held 
them  spell  lionnd  to  the  end.  lie  commenced  liy 
sMyinu" : 

••  •  I  "ellow  cit  i/ens.  whate\er  1  may  ha\c  done 
for  myself  or  my  cause  1  know  not;  Imi  I  know 
the  Llenlleliien  oil  the  oilier  side  ha\e  done  one 
thinu"  for  me.  They  lia\e  at  least  aroiised  \oiir 
sympathy  for  me.  \ n\\  ha\e  rarely  heai'd  sled'jfe- 
lia miller  Mows  raiiieil  more  \iL;droiis|y  iipou  any 
man  than  lia\e  heen  rained  upon  me  for  the  last 
two  hours  ami  a  half  hy  two  of  \' ir^-i  nia's  ahh-st 
nieii  :  and  ymi  would  Iia\e  to  he  eiihi'i'  more  or 
less  than  men  not  to  |)iiy  me.  Hut,  much  as 
I  appreciate  sympathy.  I  iloiTt  want  you  to  he 
too  hasiy  or  e\t  ra\  airaiii  in  its  use.  Wait  until 
this  discii<^ion  is  o\cr.  and  then  hesiow  Ji  where 
\'iui  think  it   tiii»si   needed,  and.  unless  I  am  mis- 


102     Aulohiof/raphi/    of    John    E.    J/a.<?.sr?/ 

taken,  some  olliers  will   need   it  besides  inyself. 

'' '  I  do  not  suppose  that  it  was  necessary  for 
Major  DaJiiel  to  inform  yon  that  I  am  a  minister 
of  the  (Jospel.  I  am  personally  a  stranger  to 
yon,  i)ut  all  of  you  who  have  heard  of  me  have 
heard  that  I  am  a  minister  of  the  (Jospel.  1  am 
not  awai'e  that  thei'e  is  anythiiifj::  disreputal)le  in 
that,  j»ro\ided  I  aet  consistently  with  my  profes- 
sion. I  am  glad  to  know  that  none  of  my  o])])o- 
nents  have  ever  charged  me  with  conduct  incon- 
sistent with  ministerial  chai'acter,  unless  my 
present  associations  be  so  construed  [waving  his 
liand  at  J)aniel  and  Walker]. 

'' '  ^^'hy  have  these  gentlemen  parachnl  the  fact 
that  I  am  a  ministei-?  If  they  had  known  me 
to  be  a  druTd^ard,  a  gand)lei',  oi*  a  libei'tine,  they 
wonld  not  have  alluded  to  it.  Have  they  so  ])oor 
an  o])inion  of  the  citizens  of  iJedford — a  connty 
that  has  sent  out  more  |U'eachers  than  any  other 
county  in  the  State — as  to  sn]>pose  they  would 
have  less  confidence  in  a  man  who  goes  from  the 
hustings  to  the  ]irayer-meet  ing,  oi'  the  ])nlpit, 
than  they  lia\('  in  those  who  go  from  the  hust- 
ings to  di'amshi>])s  and  gambling  tb'ns?  Such 
insinuations  ai'e  insults  to  n'ou,  fellow-cit  izens  I 
.Major  l)ani('1  says  I  am  bedraggling  my  sacei'- 
dota!  I'obes  in  the  tilth  and  mire  of  the  political 
])ool.  If  it  is  as  filthy  as  Ik^  I'ejji'esents  it  I  will 
not  chai'ge  him  and  (lenei-al  W'alkei-  with  iii(tl,-in(i 
it  so.  but  I  will  chai-ge  them  A\ith  f<illlnif  In  jni- 
n'fi/  it,  though  both  of  them  have  been  long  in  it. 
If  it  is  still  so  filthy  that  gentlemen  cannot  enter 
il  without  soiling  their  gai-uients  it  is  time  to 
throw  in  sonic  ]uii-ifyiug  clement.  T.nt  why  ai-c 
ilicsc  gcnilcnicu  so  coiicci'ucd  about  the  puril.\'  of 
/////    garmciils    and    so    unconcerned    about    llnir 


77/'     ('mn  jKii'in    aj    1S'",'J 


!»;:{ 


inr/i/     A I'r   llicir  L!;;i niiciils  iiii jK  rrioiis /     ()[■  arc 
llif\    nlrtii'li/  S(i  s(,il>  il   thai    llic\    caift    Im-   inadr 

'•  •  I  I  liiiilv  I  hat  I  can  u'iv  c  an  illn-.!  rai  ion  which 
will  r\|>laiii  Majdi'  hanicTs  remarks  ahoiil  inc. 
A  lio\,  who  was  accusi  wiiici  I  to  ircaiinu"  liis  asso- 
ciaic>  \crv  rmlcjv,  aiimidcd  a  .Md  litiili>i  Incl•Iinl,^ 
inailc  a  |ii-iil"c>si(»n  (if  rcliLii'm.  anil  juincil  tjic 
chui'<-ii.  llis  I'oi'incr  assdcialcs  thuuudil  llicv 
cMuhl  n<iw'  in-at  ///'///  run^i'lilv  with  iiii|ii)iiit_\  ; 
when  he  woiihi  rcsrni  it,  i  hcv  wnuhl  sa  v  in  him: 
••  \<i\\ ,  .liihn  ;  icnicmlici'  Vdu  arc  a  incmlici-  dt'  i  iu' 
church  ! 

••'ilc  Inirc  il  uniil  he  ihnimiii  [iei-v,-\crance 
cca-ei!  Id  lie  a  \irMie.  ami  whi'ii  ihcv  repealed 
ilieir  rndencx.  he  said:  "lldvs,  it  is  true  lAc 
jdiui'd  I  he  church,  and  I  lid]ie  I  am  cim\  cried  ; 
liiit  \d!i  know  1  licloim'  tn  a  chnrcli  ihal  hclicM's 
in  ralliiiL!:  ffMin  uface,  and  if  I  slmnhl  fall,  ;'""c 
lie  unto  Von  ! 

•■  '  'idiev  never  I  I'od  oil  .lohll's  Iocs  after  that. 
'I'liev  ijidn't  want  .lohii  to  fall.     Thev  dreaded  the 

CI  in--ci|liences. 

'•  •  I  sn|i|iov(.  .Majoi'  I)anicl  knows  (hat  the 
church  to  which  I  lieh  uili' doev  iioi  lielicNc  in  fall- 
iiiu'  frnm  L;race.  I.ui  in  the  linal  [ler^'V  crame  of 
the  saiiil^.  I  liojic  that  lie  who  lia^  kept  me 
lliu--  far  will  keep  me  to  the  end.  Iiut  I  am  not 
unmindful  of  the  admonition;  l.d  imi  him 
that  uirdclh  nil  lii^  arimu-  hoa^t  hini'-elf  a^  he 
thai  piitieth  il  nil.  1  hope  i  ean  hear  llu'^e 
I  a  II II I  --. 

•' •  I    fecoLi'iii/e  ijie  fad   ihai   iiiv  poviiioii  i^  ihat 

of     ihe    ili/ril,     W  hn^e     prn\illce     i<     |n     /-.r/rc     liloWS 

and    mil    lo    leiurii    thdii;   and    //'/•<     i>.    an    aii\il 
ii[ion   which   iiiaiiv  such   hammers  as  vou    jjioinl- 


ir»4     AnioJiiography    of    -John    K.    Massiry 

inij  lo  Daniel  and  Walker]  may  weai-  themselves 
out  williout  its  beiiijj:  coiiscioiis  of  tjieii'  blows. 

"'I  know  nothiii*]:  of  .Afajoi-  DaiiieTs  devo- 
tions; l)ut  if  he  has  any,  now  that  I've  u-iven  him 
liie  hint,  I  think  one  of  his  daily  jx'titions  will 
be  that  John  E.  Massey  may  not  fall  from  L::race 
dui-ini;  this  eanvass.  If  lie  hears  that  1  have 
fallen,  he  will  never  tread  on  my  toes  after  that, 
lie  will  ne\-er  presnme  n])on  John's  foibearance 
au'ain.  lie  will  be  very  courteons  to  John  after 
liiat. 

'* '  lint,  says  Majoi'  Daniel,  all  the  Keadjnsters 
ai'e  aftei'  are  the  oltiees.  A\'ell,  if  that  be  so,  they 
are  ^^oinii'  to  ii'et  them.  Offices  ai'e  necessary,  and 
have  to  be  tilled  by  somebody;  and  the  ])eo])le  of 
A'ii-.U'inia  are  too  maunanimons  to  force  them 
upon  i)e()])h'  who  (Joii'f  innti  them  when  thei*e  are 
jx'ople  just  as  com])etent  to  fill  them  who  do  innil 
them.  Of  course,  men  who  sneei-  at  othei's  for 
wantinu"  olVices  don't  want  any  themselves. 
Majoi"  Daniel  sneei-s  at  me  for  wanlinu'  otticel 
Sui'ely  he  doesn't  want  any  I     Oh,  no!  not  he! 

"'I  do  not  wish  to  dis])ai'a,U('  .Major  Daniel, 
lie  was,  no  doubt,  a  bi-axc  and  LcalhiTd  soldiei-; 
but  many  uniuai'ked  ui*aves  (-(Uitain  the  reiuains 
of  men  who  fonuht  just  as  bra\('Iy  as  he  did. 
They  couldn't  all  be  majors,  ^\']l(>  e\"er  heai'(l  of 
."Nrn joi-  Dauiel  outside  of  a  vcvy  nairow  cii-clc  un- 
til within  a  few  years?  ]5ut  now  his  name  is 
known  froiu  the  centi-e  to  the  utmost  boi-dci-s  of 
the  State.  irowdi<l  it  become  so  well  known?  Ite- 
causc  it  has  been  associated  wilh  excry  olbce  in 
the  ,u"ift  <tf  the  ])eoplc.  lie  has  been  a  standini;' 
candidate  for  ( *ou,i:'i*ess  foi-  yeai-s.  lie  was  a  cau- 
diilate  fo]-  (loveriu)!',  for  the  Court  of  AjijX'als, 
and  for  the  I'nited  States  Senate;  and  when  the 


Tlw    Cn III jKiifiit    of    I^V.> 


«;.) 


iMiipIc  would  iml  fiirc(  tlicsc  ((iTicfS  ii|>i»n  him.  In' 
\\;is  s(i  (l('ifniiinc<|  Id  lit'iir  sttim-  df  ilic  Itiinli'iis 
df  dllicc  lli;il  he  li;nl  ;l  slice  of  L\  lull  I  m  r;,'  cut  olV 
;iinl  cdiivi  ii  uictl  inid  ihc  Idwn  df  /^///;'7,  lliat  lu' 
Im-    liiiidi'  diic  df   I  lie  cil  V    Till  lid'S. 

"  •  'i'liiTc  ui'f;it  (";rs;ir  t'cl!  !  Ami  oil,  liiv  cdUIl- 
irviiii'ii,  wliiil  ;i  fiill  \\;is  llmi!  Ti-diii  ( ''hkiii  sx, 
fl'dlii  i'diirt  iif  Apjxillx,  frdlii  /  iiiliil  Shih.s  S'li- 
nil',  t'ldiii  (I'dniiinr.  to  ;i  (riishc  (if  llic  Inun  i){ 
/^////■'  /.' 

'•  '  lie  n-minds  me  nf  ;i  l;idv  w  jio  li;id  sjiciit  sd 
miicli  liiiic  ill  siimif  Idcssnliicss  ijmi  she  ijidiiulit 
lief  didv  cli.-iiicr  Id  p-I  ;i  liil>lt;iml  \\;is  i(»  JUMV 
fd!'   diic      She   km-li    iimici"  ;i    iiiu'   Ii-fr   ;iiid    cdiii- 

llMilcrd  |)I';l  villU'.  All  d\\  1  lit  in  llic  iPi'f  Jllld 
s;iid,  ■•Wild,  wild?"  'i'llillkillU'  licr  |U';lVrl-  \\;is 
.iIhiu!  Id  Im-  jmsw ci'cd,  she  s;iid,  "  AiivImmIv.  ;lliv- 
liddv.  I, did,  Sd  he  is  ;l  iiidil  .'  "  Tlici-c  she  is  j  |idiiil- 
iliU'  Id  l»;lliicl|.  \  II  i/l  liiiift.  <ni  i/l  h  iihi.  Sd  il  is  ;iii 
"//"■'  •'  '►HI  he  li;is  liccii  Sd  tTiiflv  in  his  piirsiiil 
df  dtlici'  ili;it  hf  ihiiiks  the  |>cd|di'  doii'l  kimw  his 
;ili\  ii'l  V  I'd  I-  il .  lie  is  like  ;t  i^i'iil  h'liKIIl  wild  .iski'd 
,1  r.-iiiiiT  fdi'  his  d;i  iiuhlcr.  lie  h.id  lidcii  sd  >l\  in 
his  inldri'sscs  I  li;ii  I  he  old  i:'mii  lcm;i  n  d  id  ii'i  kiidw 
III'  li.id  i'\('i-  cdiii-h'd  his  dinmhliT.  The  did  m;in 
^.lid  :  "  W'liv.  Ii;i\r  Vdil  ('\('r  s;iid  ;in\  lliiliu'  Id  Sill 
ii|Miii    ihc    snh jiM-i  ".' "      'I'hi'    Vdiiim'    m;iii    i-rplird: 

'•  (  d!.  \cs.  ;ind  she's  /,''■//  I'or  il  '.  "  'riiric  s  i  I S 
S;il  Ipdjiiliim'  Id  l);inirj],  ;iiid  'she's  keen  fdV 
il  '.  ' 

'•  hlirillL;'  the  deli\crv  df  lllis  s[M'eeh  ihe  el'dWil 
lii'iMllie  wild  willl  eXeilelilellt  .  Mr.  .M,|vs,.v  li;ld 
Id  slep  li.lek  re|ie;lled|\  Id  ;i\Mid  heini^-  lifled  dj]' 
ihe  sl;iliil.  Miijdr  I);iniel  ;iI'dSe  ,ilid  ;|sked  if  he 
miulll     e\|il;lill. 

"  •  ( 'erl;iinl  \ ,"  s;iid   M  r.   .M;isse\-. 


IGO     Aiitohiographij    of    John    E.    Masf^vy 

'*  '■  No  I  no! '  several  cried;  '  lie  (lidn't  interrupt 
yon.  and  yon  slufn't  interrnitt  liinil' 

".Major  Daniel  took  his  seat,  and  Mr.  Massey, 
(ui'nin<j:  to  iiiiii,  said,  'Major,  if  I  am  hearing 
down  too  heavily  1  Avill  liuliten  nj)  a  little.'  The 
Major  aj^ain  asked  if  he  might  exi)ialn. 

"  M\'rtainly,'  said  Mr.  ^Massey. 

"'No  I  no  I  ■  the  crowd  again  cried;  'you 
sha'n't  interrupt  him.' 

''  lie  again  took  his  seat,  and  Mr.  ^lassey  said, 
'  Major,  if  you'll  tell  me  where  the  sore  place  is 
I'll  kcc])  my  hands  off  it.' 

"  '  8oi-e  place  I  '  some  one  cried,  '  he's  sore  all 
over  I  You've  not  left  a  i)article  of  skin  upon 
him!' 

''  This  was,  in  many  respects,  a  remarkable  dis- 
cussion. Sharp  and  keen  as  the  i)asses  wc^'e  ])e- 
tween  the  gladiators,  no  ill  feeling  was  displayed 
Ity  cither  speakers  or  hearers.  At  the  conclusion 
of  the  discussion  Mr.  ^Massey  received  a  jterfect 
<»\"ation.  No  one  questioned  his  c()m])lcte  \ictory. 
His  tirst  sjx'cch  convinced  the  ci'owd  that  he  was 
right,  and  his  hist  ])erfectly  caiUivated  them. 

"Senatoi-  Thurmon  had  his  cai-riage  there  to 
lake  Daniel  and  AValkei'  home  \\\\\\  him.  As 
soon  as  the  cheering  for  Massey  ceased,  tlie  ci'owd 
<alled  lustily:  '  Thiii-mon  I  hi-ing  on  your  amliu- 
hince  I  r>i'ing  on  your  a  mini  la  nee.  Thurmon  !  ami 
bear  olf  \()iir  wounded  generals  1  *  " 


"  Tlie  W'arreiiton  pa]tei-s  stated  that  ^h*.  Mas- 
sey wonld  not  dare  to  come  to  Wai-reiiton  ;  tjiat 
if  he  (lid  they  would  gi\-e  liini  l*a\ne.  meaning 
that  he  would  be  met  and  used  iiji  by  den.  \\'.  11. 
Payne,  an  able  lawyei'. 

"Mr.     Mass(y,     however,     jinbrislKMl     that     he 


Tilt    ('(I III /mi'iii    (,j    Is'^'.i 


\i\: 


wtiiiM   address   liic   pi'ojdc  (tf   I'aiKiuit'r  al    (heir 
.1  ulv  (  '(Hirt. 

■•  lie  caiiii'  nil  Saliiidav.  As  lir  irol  otV  llif 
(ill's  (III  (iiic  side  (Ifiicral  Taviic  uoi  on  fi'oiii  the 
(ilhcl-  side,  left  llic  loWll.  aild  did  Ilol  rclUi'II 
iiiiiil    .Mr.  .Massfv  Id't. 

"(Ml  .Mdiidav  iiKii'iiiiiL;' a  ciiiiiiiiii  ice  df  riiiidd's 
called  (HI  .Mr.  .Massev  and  in(tnii-e(|  if  lie  were 
willinu'  I'»  di\ide  lime  and  lia\i'  a  J<iini  dixiis- 
sion?  -Ml'.  .Massev  i-e]die(l  iliai  il  was  n^i  his 
en--i(Mn  I(»  seek  (»r  l<)  (le(dine  dis(  iis>i(ins ;  and  in- 
(|nii'e(l  whom  he  wonld  lia\c  h»  dis(ii-->  wiih".' 
'I'hev  said  <'a]»t.  Ilam  Siie]i|ierd.  ('apiain  She]!- 
pci'd  had  not  called  (Ui  .Mi'.  .Massev,  nor  had  .Mr. 
.Ma>st'V  cNcr  seen  him.  .Mr.  .Massev  said  he  had 
iNpfcted  |(t  meet  (Jeiieral  I'avilc.  hill  ihal  il  was 
Ilol  his  |iro\ince  lo  s(decl  llieir  speaker,  and 
ihal  lliev  and  a  coiiimiliee  of  his  I'rii-nd--  coiild 
arranue  ihe  lerms  (d'  disciis--ion,  and  all  he  asked 
was  ihal  I  hose  lerms  should  he  fair  lo  cadi. 
The  coiiimiilee  said  ihal  ('aplaiii  Sliep|icrd  pro- 
posc(|  ihal  .Mr.  .Massev  should  open  in  a  speech 
i>\'  an  hour  and  a  (piarlcr.  'j;\\i'  him  an  hour  and 
a  (piaricr.  and  .Mr.  .Massev  coiihl  lia\c  the  ha  I 
aiicc  ol'  ihe  lime.  .Mr.  .Masx'V  said.  '  lie  (an 
lia\  c  hci  Id'  lerms  i  haii  I  hose.* 

••  ■  No,"  said    1  hev,  •  1  hat    is  all    he  wauls." 

•■When  .Mr.  .Ma--seV  Welll  upon  ihe  sl.llld  Se\  - 
eial     Uelillemell     W  e  I'e     se;ile(|      Upon      il.         N(.lie     of 

ilieiii  spoke  lo   him.   ;ind   he  did    Ilol    kiiow    which 
of   I  hem    was   <  'a  plai  n    She|ipe!-d. 

••  .Ml',     .Ma<-~e\'s    openinu'    sprcch    ^urpii^ed    all 

who     had     Ilol     heard     him     hcfol-e.        lie    s|;itfd     ihe 

issues  of   the  caii\ass  so  c|e;irlv    ihal    muie  could 

fail       lo       lllldersl;|i|d      ihelll.  lie      lliell      di^cu^--e(| 

iliem    ill   a    iiiosi    fair,    loirical.  and    forcible   man 


IfJS     A  iit')hi()(jra])]ii/    of    Jolni    E.    M(iss(ij 

Ui'V.  His  sjx'ccli  from  bc^MiniiiiL;'  to  end  was 
coiiiit'iiiis  and  (litiiiilird.  Tlic  lai'Ljc  audience 
lisiiMicd  with  evident  interest,  ami  fi-eijuently 
a]i]ilamled  i  lie  s])eakei'. 

•"When  -Ml*.  Massey  concluded,  one  of  the 
ucni  Iciiicn  on  tlie  stand  jtlaced  a  parcel  of  docu- 
iiK'iits.  a  ulass,  and  a  i)ilclier  of  lod<l_v  on  the 
lalilc.  and  retui'iUMl  to  his  seat. 

"("aj)tain  Shej)i)ei-d  then  \\(Mit  forward  and 
coiiimcnci'il  in  an  im])assioned  manner,  not  to 
icply  i(»  .Ml-.  .Massey's  arunments,  or  to  discuss 
the  r»i-oker*s  l>ill,  or  any  other  issue;  but  to  dis- 
cuss .Ml'.  Massey  and  the  Keadjuster  party,  ov, 
as  he  calliMl   it.   the  '  Ulack  and   Tan  ])arty.' 

••  After  expressinij:  his  loathini:  of  Read justers, 
he  tiiiiKMl  toward  .Mr.  .Massey,  and  ])oint iuiJi;  at 
liiiii,  said,  '  If  I  ^\('l•e  to  Join  such  a  ])arty  as  he 
lichuius  Id,  I  would  he  a  scan  ml  r(  I '.  '  and  con- 
liiiucd  ill  this  \-eIn  to  the  end  of  liis  lime.  He 
iIh'U  look  his  scat,  with  the  api>eai'ance  of  entire 
sclf-satisfaci  ion — seeming  to  say,  'Answer  that 
if  yini  r;\  n." 

".Ml-.  .Massey's  re]»Iy  sui'])assi'd  anylhinir  ever 
s(  (  II  (u-  liiiird  in  this  tnwn.  He  lirst  took  ('a]»- 
taiu  Slicppi-rd's  documents,  carried  them  and 
laid  ilicm  down  hy  him.  He  then  carried  his 
ulass  and  set  it  l)y  him.  He  then  took  his  jiitcher 
of  loddy  an<l  set  it  hy  him.  lie  then  wi]»e(l  off 
llic  drops  of  toddy  which  had  heen  sjiilled  on 
till-   taMr.      .\11    tjiis   was  done   in   silence,   whih' 

tllc    people     looked     oil     willl    ailiazellieilt. 

".\fiei-  his  sih  III  sjieech,  he  said:  *  I-'(dhtw- 
(iti/eiis.  I  came  here  to  discuss  mctisiirts,  not 
II"  II :  lo  talk  aliout  ihinu's  of  public  interest,  not 
'o  imliil^^e  in  personalities:  but  in  tra\(diiiLr  o\er 
ilie  Siaie  I   lia\-e  met   men  of  ditferent   tastes  and 


Till      ( 'dill iKii'iN     iif     l^l'.> 


it;!« 


cajKicit  ics.  Suiiif  uf  tlifiii  l;iik-  riilifi-  ihc  l,i<ii\ 
ui-  ihr  caitarii  V,  in  <iis(\ivs  i|Uc^i  inii^  iiIhui  iln-ii- 
iiifriis.  and  can  only  riii«i'iaiii  an  aii«l  iincc  Ky 
iiiiliili:iiiL;   ill    si(|i--is>ii"s  ami    iM'ix.iialii  i<'s. 

'•When  I  iiiffi  siirli.  I  try  lo  am  mi  m.  i.iai  i- 
(lifiii;  hut  1  am  at  a  (lisaihaiiiaLic  nn  ihjs  occa- 
>iiiii.  The  LTi'iit  It'iiiaii  who  has  jii^i  lakmi  hi- 
si-at  seems  to  lia\e  ma<h"  me  ainl  my  hi>>i'-f\'  a 
eafeftil  study:  and  to  ha\e  i  liofduuddy  povi.-d 
himself.  1  iie\er  heafd  of  him  hef"fi-  this  mom- 
im:.  ami  iieai-ly  all  I  kimw  of  him  1  lia\e  h  aiaied 
ffoiii  himself. 

'■    lie    told    you    that     if    he    Wefe    to    jiiill     such    a 

jiafi\  as  I  heloiiLT  to  he  wipiild  1m'  a  s,-<,u n^i ,-' J . 
Well,  he  knows  himself  liiiief  than  I  'lo.  and 
if  he  insists  that   iitidi'f  eefiain  eont  inuemii'v  h,- 

Would    he    a    SCOUndfel     I     aill     lod    eollileous    In    di--- 

pute  his  w(U"d.  1  ha\e  Iie.-n  lau'jhi.  liowe\ii-, 
thai  while  cifeumstam-es  ih  ri  h,j,  the  man  ihey 
doiTi  iinil.r  him.  A  fa\dfalde  sejivoii  may  L:i\i- 
ahumiant  efoj>s.  while  an  unfa\oi-;dde  v,;|vnn 
dwaffs    them;    hut   .unless   the    lii-imii    i-    ihefr    to 

\eixelate    yolTll    lia\e    no    el-oji.    ihoULlh     the    V, •;!■., ,!i 

may  he  e\-ei'  so  fa\ofahle.  When,  i  heiifnie.  a 
man    assufes    me     that     uiidef    eeriain     eii-.iim- 

StaUees  he  Wiiuhl  lie  a  venUIldfel.  he  f..rii'-,  me 
to  the  ciUlelusioll  thai  ihe  -ei  lUIld  I-d  i-  '"  h>'>) 
and    only    needs    tin-    eil-cumsl;|l|.i'v    III    d'-\i'lo|.    it. 

"  \'oU  ma\'  judLTe  fl'oiii  this  i-XordiuMi  \\]i:\\  ihe 
halaiiei-  i.f  ih,.  >.|M-ech  was.  Su<h  an  e\((  .i-;,i  i  i,  m 
was  ne\rf  heafd    ill   thi--  eount\    li.'f.u-i':  and    ih'- 

Sjieceh      will      IleXel'     lie      f  mI'^JmII  . -U      hx"      ih"-,-      w  1  m  i 

heafil    it.       It    lauiri'.t    <'aiilain    Shi-pi-rd    a    h'--"n 

he     will     ne\ef     fefLlet.  Me    lUlee     j  1 1  I  ■  M  f  1 1  J  a  .  d      M  f. 

.\|asv,.y.     hut     ilid     it     /'///     oUee.        Til.'     f.!,.!'!     !;,-     ];■ 

(•ei\ed    sileiued    him.      ^'et     ii     wa-    all    >aid    and 


1(0     A  Hlohiof/nipliij    of    JoJni    K.    Mus^rij 

(lone  in  the  most  ]»l(';is;nif  iiiaiiiUM',  witliont  tlio 
Icnsi  ;ii)jt(';ir;nu('  of  acrimonioiisncss  or  ill  tciii- 
l>('r. 

"  .Ml*.  ^Iass(n-  had  so  fully  discussed  th,' 
l*i'ok(M'*s  r»ill  and  other  issues  of  the  canvass  in 
his  first  speech  tliat  he  deeiued  it  useless  to  de- 
vote more  time  to  them,  and  closed  amid  lou;^'' 
and  vocifei'ous  a])])lause.  He  can  ti-iily  say  with 
Ca'sar:     'I   camo.   I  s])oi<e,    I  c(ui(|uered/ 

"A   I-\vr(nii;u   Ki:Ai>.nsTi:K." 

It  is  due  to  rai)taiu  She])]»ei-d  to  say  that 
when  T  next  visited  Wai-i-euton  he  met  me  at  the 
de]>ot.  in\ited  me  to  ii"o  home  w  ith  him,  and  was 
oiu'  of  mv  wai-mc^st  friends  the  residue  of  his 
life. 


''The  most  remarkal)le  meetinir  in  many  i-e- 
spects  which  was  ever  held  in  Xoi'folk  city  was 
held  here  last  uiLi'ht.  It  liad  been  announced 
tliat  Senator  ^lassey,  of  All)emai-le.  wotild  ad- 
di'css  tlie  citizens  on  tlie  issues  of  tlie  im])endinu: 
<'an\ass.  lie  was  expected  to  sjieak  in  either 
the  couT-t-lionse,  (u-  a  laru'e  wai-eliouse.  'I'he 
I'undei's.  to  prcNcnt  his  speakinir,  enL:aL:'('d  ])oili 
of   tliese   houses. 

•■-Ml',  ^\'il]iam  II.  'I'urnei-.  the  wealthiest  man 
in  Norfolk',  with  wliom  .Mr.  .Massey  was  stoppini:', 
ohtained  the  use  of  .Mechanics"  Hall.  He  eii- 
U'aucd  a  brass  band  to  accompany  .Mi*.  .Masse\'  to 
the  hall,  had  a  tai-  bai-rel  set  on  fh-e  at  each 
street  ci'ossinu'  on  the  w  a \',  and  enL;.'aue(l  a  can- 
non  to  be  tired  at    proper  intcr\al<. 

"The  hall  was  filled,  and  an  immense  crowd 
was  outside,   unabh'   to   uct    in. 

'•  ^\'hen    .Messrs.    (loode   and    Withers   went    to 


77/'     <'ii III jKiiiDi    <if    /N7.''  171 


[\\r     cniiri -Ikhis*'    tlicy     fniiiid     it     coiiiiiiiraf  i\('I_\ 

flii|»l\.       'I'licy    sent     Mlljol-    'r,lli;ir>-IT(i    In    lilt'    hall 

wiili  a  ii'i|iir>i  iliat  wr  wiHiM  admit  ilifiii  and 
<li\idi'  liiiic  wiili  lliciii.  .Maiiv  (ilijt'ctt'd  Id  this, 
>a\iiiLr  tiifV  had  irii'il  lo  |ii-c\cnl  .Mr.  .Masscy 
t'l'iiiii    >|M'al\ iiiLT,    and    did    lua    di'M'TNi-   any    faNOf 

fl-iilil     us. 

■•  M  f.  .Ma>sry  saiil:  '  l.ct  iIumii  (•(uiic.  1  w.ini 
I  he    ]MMi|ih-    ti)    h<'a  I-   Ixil  h    sidfs." 

•■  J!  was  aLirri'd  thai  W'iihcfs  tifsi.  and  duiJirc 
(I'ldwiii  M'lciiid.  >hiinM  i';i(li  (M(ni>\  a  half  hinif; 
iliai  Ml".  (icMMh'  vhduld  (Hcnpy  an  Imni-,  and  .M  f. 
.M;i-^i'\    chivi-    \\  it  hdui    liinil    of  t  iinc 

•■  .Mi's^fs.  W  ii  lii'i's  a  nd  <  Iddw  in  aci|  nil  I  rd  I  Ik -in - 

sid\i'>      !i>      ihr      s;il  isfaci  inn      of      lln'il-      frs|  m  ■(  a  i  \  r 

friends.    Iiui    ihi-rr    was    iKiihinLr   strikinu"   or    vr- 

ni.i  I'kahh'    in    t  ill-    >prfcli    of   cil  \\i-V. 

■•  y\v.  'Idddr  (I  iiiinicii(i'(|  hy  fuNoinr  cnhiLiy  '»f 
Ml'.  Ma--^ry  ;is  a  niinisicr  nf  tlif  (!ms|i('|.  ami 
-•iHik'-  "f  till'  L;-rf;it  rc'_;a  rd  In'  hail  foi-  his  ilifMhiLT- 
i<al  \i('ws.  lie  tiit'ii  r\|n-i'ssi'd  ids  di'i'p  ic'j.i'i't 
ihai  a  nian,  wlii>  was  cipiddi'  nf  ddinu'  so  mnrh 
'_:"im|.  >hnuhl  ciimc  down  from  his  iioviiimi  in  iln- 
|mlpii.  ami  lif  pia-a  iidnila  i  imj:  ihr  Siati'  fmiii  oni' 
<nd  !'>  iIh-  oihi'r.  siii-rinir  u|>  strife,  nnd  cauNiii'.!' 
d  i^^a  I  i^fari  iiiii   ;i  iiKini:'  'he   |H'i  )]di'. 

■■'rnrninL:'  lo   .Mi'.    Ma^^^y.   he  <aid:      "Nnw,   my 

lirnlhiM-;  1||\  ,!',i,,l  Ill'nlhi'r!  jet  Illf  illlphil-i'  \iiM 
I  M    ;i  li,M|(h  'II    till'    idea    (if    |ii;dx  in'J'  a     |h  i|  il  ir,-|  I    v|M','<|| 

iMiii-hi.  and  ui\i'  ns  ^\]r]\  ;i  xri-niMii  ;is  1  kimw 
\ini  ciin  'j_]\i-.  \i>\\  c-iM  ilicm  up,  and  1"!]  ^ini:': 
'rnrn.  ^inniTv.  inrn.  And.  i<\\'.  whai  a  meci  iii|_f 
wi'dl    ha\i'!      \iiw.    wiiiri    ynu.    m\    l;-m(m1    lirnl  hd'? 

<ii\i'    n--    ^1  iiiH'i  h  inL''    fi'itin    that    'j^mu]    1 k:    from 

ihr    wi-iiiiiL;'^    of    I'l-icr    and     Paul    and    .iMlm.' 
"  111'  then  lurni'd  hi^  aiirniion  in  ihr  I'.ri'krr's 


172     A  iil(>J>i()(ir<ij)lii/    of    John    />'.    M(iss(i/ 

]>il].  11(^  said  \v»'  onij^lit  (o  accept  it — tliat  tlic 
(iovcrnoi'  ai)])i'()V(Ml  it,  lliat  the  Licntciiaiit- 
(lovcruor,  the  TiiiUMl  Stales  Seiiatoi-s,  all  the 
('onui'essinen,  all  the  State  otlicers,  and  nearly 
all  the  lawyers  a])])i*()ved  it  !  lie  never  attenij)te(l 
to  explain  it,  or  show  any  benefits  which  the 
State  wonld  derive  from  it. 

*'  Mr.  Massey's  coininencenient  was  a  model 
of  modesty. 

"lie  said:  '  Fellow-citizens,  T  am  a  total 
sti'anii'ei'  to  yon,  and  have  no  claims  npon  yon 
excej)t  thos(^  which  ai'is(^  from  the  fact  that  I,  a 
native  Virii'lnian,  come  to  talk  to  Virginians 
abont  mattei's  in  which  they  are  as  mnch  inter- 
est(Ml  as  I  am. 

"'I  claim  no  sn])erior  ability.  1  oidy  claim 
that  having  stndied  the  issnes  of  this  canvass, 
esjK'cially  the  IJroker's  Mill,  A\'hich  is  the  main 
issne,   I   can  ,i»'ive  yon  a  fair  ex])lanation  of  it. 

''  '  My  friend,  who  lias  jnst  taken  his  seat,  has 
discussed  me  moi'e  than  he  has  the  issues  which 
divide  ns. 

'•  '  He  seems  to  be  in  ti'oubl(%  and  has  a])pealed 
to  me  most  pathetically  to  come  to  his  relief  by 
li'ivinii"  him  somethinij:  out  of  the  (Jood  P»ook — 
the  wrilinu-s  of  Peter  and  Paul  and  John — and 
as  T  claim  to  be  an  accommodat  inii:  man,  I'll  try 
to  accommodate  him. 

"^  He  says  ]  am  ])erandnilatin,i!:  tln^  State  fi'om 
one  end  to  the  other,  stiri-ini::  u])  the  ])eo))le,  and 
makinix  I  hem  dissat  isfied. 

'•'If  1  can  show  him  fi"(rm  that  (Jood  IJnolv 
tliat  others  lia\('  sutTei-ed  as  he  thinks  he  is  siif- 
feriuL!,"  it    will  be  cousolinii:  to  him. 

"  '  lla\('  you  nevei'  read,  my  (ioode  friend,  in 
that   (Jood   Pook  that   when  I'aul  and  Silas  went 


'I'hc    Cum jiiiii/n    nf    />7.'' 


171? 


f(»  i;i)lit'sus  ;i  similar  cry  was  i-aiscd?  The  niulti- 
iihlr  was  si»  ('Xcil('<|  thai  lliry  criiMl  (nit  for  iwn 
liuiirs:  "(Ircal  is  hiaiia  df  llir  Iljilii-sians  I 
(iri'ai  is  hiaiia  of  ilir  Iljilitsiaiis '  "  When  ihc 
in\\  II  clerk  iiii|iiii-e(l  the  cause  (if  this  ii[ii-tiar.  he 
was  tuhl  :  "These  wh<»  ha\e  tUflled  the  WOfhl 
ii|»^ii|e  (hiwii  ha\e'  ciuiie  hithef  alsu."  What  had 
I'aiil    ihiiie    to    eaiiM-   such    an    i)i>f(iar".'      lie    had 

si!ii]ilv      tauuilt      the     ]ie(i|ile     that      ihev     (iliuht      to 

woi->lii|>  the  tiaie  atid  li\iiiL,''  <'iod.  i)oiri  \  ou 
think   he  w  as  (hdiiLi"  a  u'ood    work?      I'liit    why  did 

this    leaehillLT   S<i   exasperate    tlie    I^Jiliesiail^'.'       1  )e- 

tiieii'iii^.  a  >il\  efsniit  h.  who  iiiaih'  silver  shrines 
fiU'  hiana.  hy  which  they  irot  their  wealth,  ati- 
swci'cd:  'Idial  I'anl  hath  persuaded  and  lurtied 
away  iiiuih  people,  sayinir  they  he  no  umls  which 
a  i-e   iiia(h'   with    hands.      So   that    tuir   e/v///    is   in 

da  WJ.rV    to    he    set    at     IloULl'Ilt  . 

•■  •  Is  that  what  is  the  matter  with  you.  my 
(  loode   friend  ? 

•■  •  Is  iiniir  rfiifl  ill  (hiinnr/  Are  you  afi-aid 
that  if  tile  people  uiidei'stand  how  tlieii'  puMic 
illhrcvls  a  i-e  saci-iticed  for  the  lielietit  of  a  few 
\<<\]  will  cease  to  draw  your  sTtJlOO  in  Lfohl  ati- 
nn;i  II  v.' 

*'  ■  laa-or  cannot  he  ycvv  danu'efons  so  lonu  as 
ii'utli  i-~  free  Id  c(ind)ai  it.  es|tecially  w  lien  en'oi- 
ha-;  such  a  weak  champion  as  I  am;  and  truth 
i^  d'fciided  hy  yMii,  the  Lll'ea  I  Ajax  Ti'laillon; 
\"\\  ;irc  oirely  not  ;ifraid  to  lia\-e  UliIiI  tutaied 
I  in   '  III  r   pidil  ic  ;i  !V;i  i  ps.  a  re  \  i  m  '.' 

•••'rhiii    (hwmI     r.ook    says:      ••  lAei-y    mie    thai 

doel  h  r\  il  h.'llel  ||  I  he  lii:llt,  licit  her  colnct  ||  to 
the    li-hl.    lest     hiv    i\>-i'i\<    xliiHlld    he    repi'i)\.'d.      I".  U  I 

he  ili;ii  (hicih  tiaith,  c<uiieili  to  the  liLTlit.  that  his 
dee(N   ma  \    he  made  tnatiifcvt.""  " 


171     AiiinhUxjnipJuj    of    John    K.    Mu-sscij 

'' Tt  is  im])()ssil)l('  to  do  justice  to  Mv.  ^las- 
scy's  s]H'(M-li.  II(>  illusti-atcd  many  otlicr  ])oiiits 
by  Scri])tiii'al  (luotat  ions.  W'liiic  doin^-  so.  .Mr. 
(Joodc  intciTuptcd  Iniii  scvci-al  times.  Mr.  Mas- 
sey  said,  in  reply  to  these  inlei'i'n]tt  i(»ns,  '  I've 
been  tryin.iJi;  to  u'ive  tlie  gentleman  Just  wlial  lie 
asked  for.  T  want  to  accommodalc  him,  and 
then  tak(^  u\>  (he  subject  I  am  hei-e  to  discuss; 
but  if  lie  kee})s  interrujit  inu'  me  I  don't  know 
when  I  shall  uct  thi'ouiih.  T.ut  I  will  not  com- 
l»lain:  a  little  spice  enlivens  life.  Men,  like 
boys,  always  want  to  see  the  monkey  when  they 
U'o  to  (he  show,  and  1  sometimes  ti'v  to  exhibit 
him;  but  my  (loode  fi-iend  has  saved  me  that 
trouble  on  this  occasion — he  has  exhiliited  him- 
self.' 

"  ^Tr.  riood(»  became  ])ei'feclly  furious  at  this, 
and,  rollini:'  up  his  sl(M'^•es,  rushed  up  to  ^li'. 
Masse.\'.  'I'lie  cr(»\\(l  hissed  and  ci'ied,  *  Sit  down! 
sit  down  I  ' 

".Ml'.  .Massey  said,  '^Vllat  is  the  matter,  my 
(loode  friend  ?  ' 

''  .^^T*.  (loode  replied,  ^  Nobody  but  a  dema- 
irou^ue  and  a  jtolitical  ])i-eaclier  would  have  of- 
fei-ed   me  such   an   insult  !  ' 

".Ml',  ^lassey  said  :  '  h^'llow-cii  i/,ens.  I  did  not 
AX'isli  to  insult  the  Li'entleman.  I  was  doinu"  my 
best  lo  jihdsf  him  to  ;L^i^■<'  him  ///-v/  irjial  lie 
(isJ:(  (I  for!  If  a  man  doesn't  mean  to  cii(eT-lain 
mc  he  shouldn't  in\ite  me  to  liis  liousc;  and  if 
he  comes  to  my  house  I'll  ti-y  to  entertain  lihn. 
and  if  he  jii-oposes  a  little  jdensautry  and  _Lr<'ts 
nioi'e  than  he  liariiained  foi-,  he  must  not 
complain.  /  '////  ll'il  i  ilsiil  I  cd .'  No  qcii  1 1<  hkiii 
e\-ei'  iT'ie(l   lo  insult    me.  and   no  one  else  <-(ni  do 


'I'hi     ( 'n nt  jKiii/ii    of    l^l'.l 


17 


•■  .\I  I'.  (!(i(»(|c  stiiricd  mil,  ;in<I  llic  cniwd  callrd 
tn   Iiiiii.   ■('((iiic  l»;itk  !      <"i>im'   Imck   ;iinl    take   il!" 

••  lie  (Jill  If  liiick  ami  sal   dow  ii. 

"1  lia\i'  lU'illii'i'  llic  liiiu-  nop  iIh-  altiliiv  ti» 
Lii\<'  ilif  i-csi<liif  of  .Mr.  .Ma>M-\"s  sin-.-rli.  His 
casi  ii^ai  imi  of  .Mr.  <  Iiodc,  a  nd  his  cxicvii  ion  and 
(■liniinai  ion  of  ihc  iJioki-r's  I'.ill  siii-|ia^sri|  aiiv- 
iliiiiu'  I  {'\ri-  heard,  and  il  was  all  doiir  in  iIh- 
jdaiiifsi  and  niosi  |i|casaiii  wav.  'Ida' iiira  I  liod\ 
of  ihf  laruc  andii-nrc  were  ihoroimhlv  in  aii-ord 
wiih    -Ml'.   .Masscv   when   he  dosed. 

■'.Ml'.    .Massev   sj»oke   o\fr   iwo    hours,   and    ihe 

andiellee    seemed     linwiilillL:'    for    him    lo    slop.      !|e 

rhaiiied    iheir    alteiiiioii    lo    ijie    end.    and    ihose 
who  heard   him   will   nexcr  for;;ei    last    niL^hi. 

••  \i;i;iiA.s."" 


"  .Mr.  .Massev  spoke  in  l*.i'rr\  \ille.  (Marixe 
<'oiiniv.  a  few  (lavs  Ind'ore  the  fall  eh'ciion  in 
1>71>.  lie  was  niei  hy  Koheri  Uarioii.  IN»|..  a 
proiiiineiii  lawyer  of  Wimhevter.  .\s  ii  was 
.Ma-sey's  appoinimeiii,  I'.arloii  opi'ia-d  ihe  dis- 
ciisvidn. 

••.Mr.  ilartoii  is  a  man  of  decided  aldlity.  a 
Ihieiii    and    forceful    speaker,    luii    was    noi    well 

|Hr.Ieil    on     ihe    issues   of   llie    ca  II  \  a  ss.        lie    vrt'llied. 
l|o\\e\er.     lo     lie     Well      posted     oil      llie     s|  el'e;  a  \  ]  >ed 

ch  arises  aL;;iinsi,  and  lliiiL'"'^  al.  ihe  IJi'ad  iu--lers. 
••  lie  chai'Lii'd  llieiii  wiili  faxoriiiLT  re|iiidiai  ion  ; 
w  i  I  h  1 1-\  in::  i'»  ca  pi  iire  ihe  neuro  \  oi  ,•.  and  w  i  i  h 
wi--!iiiiL;'  lo  ride  into  otlic'  upon  their  haclv--;  ^aid 
he  had  asked  j'anl.  in  a  il  i-^ciisvi,  ,n.  wheiher  he 
inieiided  lo  \oic  with  i  >eiiiocra  i  s  op  l»epnldieans 
at  the  iie\i  pre^ideiilial  eleciion.  and  iliai  I'anl 
answered,  •  Slllliciellt  to  the  da\  i^  the  e\il 
thereof";   that    he   was  u-oini;-  to  ask    .Mr.    .Masse\- 


lit; 


Autobiofjj-dpJii/  of  John  I!.  .]f<is.s<ij 


tlie  same  question,  but  did  not  know  whetlier  he 
wonld  ans\\('r  it  or  not. 

'•Mr.  Mnssev  said,  'Yon  need  not  hesitate  to 
ask  nie  tliat  qncstion.  I  am  a  noiiocnilic  Ridd- 
jiish  r,  and  when  tlie  matters  tliat  now  divide  ns 
are  settk'd,  von  will  still  tind  nie  in  the  Demo- 
cratic ranks.  Yon  char,tj:e  the  llcadjnsters  with 
tryinu:  to  captnre  the  neu'i'o  vote  Do  yon  di^iy 
that  l""nn(hM's  ai*e  also  ti'yini;  to  (•a])1ur('  their 
votes?  Each  ])arty  wishes  to  secni'e  all  the 
^•ot('S  it  can,  whether  they  are  cast  by  whites  oi- 
blacks,  and  if  it  secni*es  them  fairli/,  ncillici'  one 
can  comjtlain  of  the  other  for  (h)iri,u'  it.  I  lia\t' 
ncvci-  soniu'ht  tluMr  votes  by  catci'inij:  to  lliem, 
nor  have  I  ever  occn])ied  a  stand  with  a  nciiro. 
(';iu  yon  say  the  same  of  all  ])i'omin('n1 
l''nmh'7's?  '  -' 


("IlAPTi:ii    XV 

Aii'iitiK  OF   riKi.ic   A(»i)r.\rs 

1  WAS  ;issurc(l  thai  1  slioiiM  lia\t'  no  opjx)- 
silidii  for  rc-fh-ci  iiiii  to  (lie  Sciialr  if  I  would 
slay  at  iKtiiic  and  iioi  caiiNass  the  State.  I  vr- 
I'liscd  to  (1(»  this,  as  I  coiisidri'i'd  iii\  ch-ctiou  or 
(h-t'cat  of  litth'  iiioiiiciil  coiiiiKii't'd  to  saving  Ilio 
Stale   from   the  ruin   thai    i  hrratciUMl   her. 

'I'lie  I'uudrr  ])aj»('rs  and  sjtcakcrs  had  cx- 
]U'('sst'd  holy  horror  of  Kciiulilicaus  and  K('j)\ilt- 
licaiHsni,  hul  were  willini^  to  unite  with  Iheni, 
and  to  snitjiori  tli<'  most  i»ronunent  lleiuibliean 
in  my  district  to  (h'feat  "  I'arson  .Massey."  The 
wliiie  I'umiers,  eomhiiied  with  the  Kepiihlieans. 
eh-ried   my  ojt|»onent   ami  defeated   me. 

The  I'unders  were  oxci-joyed  at  my  defeat: 
I  hey  w  (■!•('  iioiiiLC  to  ■•  1  '.ury  me  under  a  sour  apph'- 
iree."  and  had  comjioscd  a  son^  in  the  style  of 
••  < 'ock  Ivoliin  "  to  l)e  suuLCat  my  luirial.  I  was 
amused  at  I  heir  eNuJial  ion.  My  eomjiosure  dis- 
concerted ihem.  'idle  e(liloi"  of  the  (  '  ll  /■<  >,i  idr 
sail!    io   me.   "  \'ou   seem    \i-]y   unconcerne(l." 

"True  ureal  ne.vs."  I  replied,  "is  known  hy 
Tiiodcrai  ion    ill   \ic|(u-y  and    foiMiiude   in   tlcfeat." 

I  iiM'i  him  the  next  day,  his  jiead  was  down, 
ami  he  loiiked  s(t  w  ne-licLiiuie  ihai  1  asked, 
••  \\  hai    i--    I  he    mat  icrV  "' 

"   I     ticlic\c    yMu"\('    l;o|     us,"     he    rcjtjied. 

'i'hi'  mails  had  hrouuiil  re|ioris  of  ihc  Iriumpli 
of  Kead  iii--i  meni  ihroimJioui  the  Siaie.  W'e  had 
elected  a  majMriiy  to  hoih  hranches  of  the  leuds- 
lat  lire. 

177 


liS     Aiitoh'Kxjrdjthji    of    -Join}    E.    Massrjf 

As  s()(m  ;is  it  was  known  that  I  was  (k'fcatcd 
foi'  tile  Senate  I  was  nnincstcd  bv  many  friends 
to  become  Auditor  of  Publie  Accounts.  I  con- 
sented to  be  a  candidate  f(»i'  the  otVice. 

When  the  lej^islat ive  caucus  met  1o  nominate 
olilicers  a  rnle  had  been  formuhited  to  appor- 
tion the  otllccs  amoui;  thi'  Coni^ressional  dis- 
tricts, and  to  iJ^ive  the  l\eadjusler  members  from 
the  different  ('ouii'ressional  districts  the  rii^lit 
to  name  the  men  who  were  to  be  elected  to  ollice 
from  tlieii'  res])ective  districts,  and  to  select  the 
clei'ks  they  were  to  ai)l>oint. 

1  had  no  o])jection  to  a  pT*o]>ei'  distribution  of 
the  ollices  over  the  State,  but  was  opposed  to 
ha\ini;  the  clerks  that  were  to  l)e  emj)loyed  in 
them  ai)])ointed  by  men  who  had  no  T'es])onsi- 
bility  for  their  faithfulness  or  etliciency. 

I  declined  to  accept  otlice  under  such  condi- 
tions. 

Thei'eniJori  the  followini;  i-esolntion  was  of- 
fei'ed  by  T.  1..  Michie,  of  Albemarle,  and  unani- 
nions]\-  a(loj>ted  : 

*"  liesolved,  tliat  if  tlie  lion.  John  Iv  ^fassey 
will  aiM-ejit  llie  olVice  of  Anditoi*  of  I'nblic  Ac- 
counts, his  ollice  shall  not  be  char.u"ed  to  any 
(listi'ict.  bnt  to  the  State  at  lai'ii'e.  in  considera- 
tion of  his  eminent  sei'\ices  and  his  eminent  fit- 
ness and  ability."' 


I  Ihei-enjion  ai;i-eed  to  accejtt  tli(^  ollice,  and 
was  nominated  and  electe<l. 

I  entered  the  olVici-  and  assnnie(l  its  duties  on 
tlie  lM  day  of  .lanuai-y,  ISSO.  I  found  the  ollice 
in  ;',  \eT'y  1tad  (-(uidilion.  its  w(»i'k  was  much 
behind.      Xoue    of    the    commissionei's'    l)ooks   of 


Auditor    of    f'l/hlic    Arcoioits  179 


ttic    pasl     VrAV    lliid    Ix'fli    <'\;illlilli'(|    ;iIh1    (m  d-l-t'cl  fd, 

;iii(l     llic     t  rt';isiii-crs'     nccoiinis     1i;h1     imi     hn-n 

'•  M|ll;ll"c(l  ll|>"  for  Vi';iis.  Tlir  clisloiil  li;l(l  Im-cII 
1(»  <|i;ii-l:c  t  rr;isurcl-s  the  I;i\i'S  Jissrssi'd  in  llicir 
I-tv|MMl  i\c  ((ilinlii'S  ;iii(l  cilifS,  clcdil  thrill  Ity 
tlii-ir  [t;l  \  Illclils,  ;nid  lei  I  lie  ilccouills  lie  (ijicll 
;iiid   iiiii   (III   I'ntiii   vcai*  lo   vc;ir. 

It  \\;is  liiv  jircdcccssdr's  ciistniil  In  send  coiii- 
luissioiin-s  <d'   llic   rcxfiiiic   clifcks   \\>v  ;i    ji;irt    of 

tlirif    rdliitiiissiolis    ll|M)ll     l'('C('i]i|     of    ihcil'    hool^s, 

:iiid  \\;iit  uiiiil  ;ill  wcfc  in.  and  then  cxaniint' 
tliriii  alplialM't  icall  V  nmlci'  this  imiIi':  "  If  llir 
IxMiks  froni  Acciiiiiac  wcit  iIm-  lasl  i-i'cci\cd.  ilicy 
\\<Tf  ]]\f  first  cxaniiiKMi  ;  and  if  tlmsc  fi'(»iii  ^'oI•k 
w  ••!•<'  till'  first  rcc('i\  cd.  llicy  wcit  the  hist  r\- 
a  Ml  ilinl."" 

I  iiiadf  a  stalt'iiicnt  slinwiiiLr  iIh'  tinaiicial 
stains  (d'  llic  (illirr,  ffiuii  wliicli  ii  was  seen  that 
the  ii'Cfjpts  of  thi-  Stat*'  fof  the  i>asl  ciLrht  y.-ai's 
had  no  I  Ihcii  sntlicimt  to  iiicri  its  liahililirs  hy 
iiioi-c  than  i-h-\cii  hnndfcd  th(nisaiid  (h>lhifs  an- 
nua lly. 

I  hail  the  coniniissioncfs'  hooks  cxaniiiit'd  as 
|n'oiii]>tIy  as  iiossililc  in  ihr  (uvln-  in  which  they 
Wcfc  i-ccci\cd;  ;ind  had  the  t  I'casiifcis"  accounts 
of  c;icli  \c;ii'  ••  s(|nai-c(l  ii]*."  and  the  halam-cs  due 
liy  thciii  cafiicd  foiwnfd,  addinir  the  intcfcst 
<\\\('  t  hcfcdn   tot  hcni. 

Many  ch-i'ks  of  coiiiis  had  failed  to  nialxc  pay- 
niciii^  oi'  icpoiMs   fof  scNcfal  ycafs. 

The  cli;iifiiian  of  the  finance  ( 'oiiiiiiii  I  cc.  lind- 

inLT    the    lilj^illcvv    nf     my    olVlce     in     sijch     had     coii- 

diiioii,  [(foposcd  |.)  L;i\c  MIC  addiiiotial  cici'ks.  I 
op|iosi-d  this.  ;ind  said  I  would  t:ci  the  woi'k  np 
and  kci'p  it   np  with  1  in"  cha-ks  I   then   had. 

()nicc   houfs   wcfc   ffoMi   II   A.    M.    lo  ;>    p.   >[.      T 


180     ANtahiof/nijiJii/    of    John    E.    Masscij 

Siiid  to  my  clerks  tliat  the  work  must  he  done 
without  rcjjjai'd  to  these  hours,  aud  they  worked 
bolli  early  aud  late.  I  had  a  hed-louuij^e  put 
in  my  olTice,  aud  slejit  there  rather  than  go  to 
my  hoardiui^-house  when  I  slopix'd  woi'k  iu  the 
night. 

No  summai-y  of  recei})ts  and  disl)iirseinents, 
by  which  1  could  know  the  amount  of  money  in 
the  treasury,  had  been  kept  in  my  ollice.  A 
clerk  fi'om  the  Treasurer's  olhce  re])orted  the 
amount  to  me  daily  at  the  close  of  olhce  hours. 
I  had  a  Ixxik  o])eued  in  which  all  recei])ts  and 
disbuT'semenis  wow  enlei-e(L  l\y  refei-ring  to 
this  1  could  lell  the  amount  in  the  treasury  at 
any  hour. 

The  h'gislatun^  authorized  me  to  borrow 
^1*00,000  to  meet  the  i)ressing  necessitic^s  of  eh'e- 
mosynary  institutions,  and  to  ])ay  the  current 
expenses  of  the  government. 

The  (lovei'nor  and  Auditor  had  tried  to  bor- 
T'ow  i*^.")(),()00  the  week  befoi-e,  and  could  not  (h) 
it.  The  I'^inders  laughed  at  tlie  idea  of  the 
""  riejtudiators,'"  as  they  called  the  Kcadjustei's, 
borrowing  .Sl'OO.dOO  when  the  '•  1  )ebt-])ayers " 
could   not  borr(»\\'  .^^.-lO.OOd. 

1  ma(h>  a  careful  eslimnte  of  the  amount  due 
by  t!'e;isurci-s  and  elei'ks.  the  amounts  that  I 
supjtoscd  would  be  ]»aid  in  coup(Uis  and  cui'reney 
n'sjx'ct  i\cly.  and  the  nmount  necessary  to  meet 
current  expenses.  I  took  this  estimate  to  the 
legjil  ad\isci-s  of  the  IMnutei's"  r>;ink'.  Judge  ^\'. 
W.  ri-iimj)  ;iud  Tdl.   \\'.  ^\^  TioTMbm. 

rjiou  tlieii'  ;i])jir(>\  ;i]  the  b;ink  agT'eed  to  lend 
me  the  .v-JOO.OOO.  I  ;i!-i-;inged  to  h:ive  it  pl;ieed 
to  my  cT'edit  in  foui-  instalments  of  .^.■')().()(K)  e;ieh, 
at  s(ate(1   intei'Mils  as   I   could  use  it. 


Auditor    of    I'lihlic    Accoinits  ISI 

I  prepared  four  notes,  sii^nied  them,  ^'ot  the 
Treasurer  to  countersi^ii  them,  and  took  them  to 
the  (  !M\frnor  to  eiulnrse,  ;is  was  ihi'  cnsioin. 
(!M\fnior  l|(»lli(hi_v  said  horrowinu'  money  was 
oiii-  of  (he  jirero;j;ai  i\('s  of  the  (io\ernor.  and  as 
thf  h'Liishilure  had  taken  it  (»ni  of  his  hands  and 
j»hierd  it  in  mine,  he  shoidd  ha\e  iiothiiiLC  to  do 
wilh     it.        He    WouM     not     emhirse     the     Holes.        I 

eoidd  Hot  j(re\ail  on  him  to  eiidorst-  them,  and 
I  n  poiicd  the  fact  to  the  liaidv.  Mr.  .I(thn  !'». 
I  >a\  is,  the  Jifesideld,  told  me  to  till  out  fonr  ol  lief 
notes  and  si^ii  them  myself,  and  ask  no  oni-  rise 
lo  siuii  or  endorse  them.  1  did  this.  siLTiiim,^ 
I  hem  as  "  Andilof  of  riililie  Aeronnts,"  and  ^ot 
I  lie  money. 

I  addressed  a  eiretihif  to  all  eonnly  and  city 
t  ifiiMirers,  eallini;'  upon  them  for  prom|(i  jiay- 
mi'Mi  of  all  money  in  their  hands,  and  for 
iiioiiilily  scllh-menis  of  iheir  aeeonnts. 

I  eoiiimeiieed  jiayiiiLT  ontstandiiiLT  warrants 
ami  aiiiiniiies  to  State  insiiintions.  The  I'.oard 
of  \'ivii(,i-s  of  the  W'esieiai  Ijiiiatie  Asylum 
jLisvcil  ;i  complimrnlary  \-ole  of  thanks  lo  iih' 
upon    rc(ci|)i    of   tht'ir  annniiy. 

Soon  ;ifici'  I  iM-caiiie  Andiior  a  tiaich  of  ae- 
loiinis,  pi'opci'ly  certified  hy  ijie  (duiM.  was  sent 
to  iiic  f<ii-  jiayiiieiil.  I  wrote  on  ihiii'  hack, 
••  rici-c  I'l'fci-  IMC  to  llic  l;iw  ilial  iiiakcv  ihcv,. 
aiiMiinis  jn'opci'  chai-ircs  upon  the  Stale  treas- 
iir\ ."'  a  ml    irt  nriied    t  hem. 

'I'lii-y  Were  soon  sciii  hack  with  a  letter'  to  me 
sutiiiLT.  ■■  I  ;im  not  surprised  at  your  tacit  ad- 
misvi(jii  iif  \our  incompetency  lo  till   \ourotVice; 

hut     the     |;|W     (loi'v    Ihit     I'e(plil-('    nie    |o    'j;,  t    witlcul 

my  money  uiiiil  you  can  le;ii-n  your  A.  U,  ('  in 
hookkeepini:.     I    ha\('  heell  semliuL:  t  hese  accounts 


1S2     Au{(fhi()(jr(i})]ti/    of    John    IJ.    Mdfiscy 

to  (ho  Auditor's  ollice  for  vears,  and  it  is  tiie 
lirst  time  they  have  ])im'11  rcturiu'd  to  mo.  I  send 
thcin  back  for  j)ayiii('Tit;  and,  uuh'ss  tlicv  aro 
I»roiiiI)tly  ])aid,  1  shall  ask  for  a  niaiKhiiiius  to 
eoiiipol  thoir  ]>ayiui'nt."' 

J  replied:  "As  you  rocoii;nizo  tho  fact  that 
1  am  nt'wiy  in  my  ollice,  I  iuijx'  yoii  will  ht'ar 
\\ith  me  until  I  can  familiarize  myself  with  its 
duties.  1  confess  that  J  am  iunorant  of  any 
law  that  makes  these  accounts  |»i-o])ei'  chai-,u"es 
upon  tho  State  ti'easni-y.  As  you  have  been  send- 
iui;  them  hoi'o  for  i/r(i)s,  1  sui)])ose  you  are  faiiiil 
iar  with  the  law.  if  you  ai'c  not.  ask  I  he  judi;'e 
that  cortitied  them  to  refei'  me  to  it." 

I  retuiaied  the  accounts  with  my  let  lei',  and 
never  heard  of  them  aLiain. 

Shortly  after  this  (luite  a  lar,L''e  batch  of  ac- 
count s  was  sent  nie  for  jKiymeiit  fi-om  Uuchatian 
County.  I  took  the  same  course  with  tlieiu  that 
I  had  taken  with  those  ab(i\c  i-efei-i-ed  to.  In  a 
few  days  the  Seru:eaiit  of  IJichmoud  city  ser\'ed 
notice  on  me  '"to  a])pear  on  the  tirst  day  of  the 
next  term  of  the  r.uchanan  ('euiity  ('ourl  to 
show  cause,  if  any  he  can.  why  an  attachment, 
should  tiot  b<"  issued  airaiiist  liim  fur  coulemjit 
of  cnnr't  in  refusimi:  [d  pay  accounts  certitied  by 
t  his  .'ourt.'' 

This  was  so  ridirubius  |]i;it  1  fduml  dini<-ulty 
in  answeriuLT  it  witlniut  usiim- a  liitle  irony,  ^'et 
[  wrote  the  judu'e  as  C(  lU  I't  ei  lusly  as  I  could, 
nmh't'  the  circumstances.  In  a  few  days  I  I'e- 
cei\-ed  a  lelleT-  from  him.  sayiiiLi".  "The  I'uh' 
aLTainst  you.  ha\inLi'  been  im]iro\ident  ly  aw;irdcd, 
has  lieeu  dismissed." 

'IMiese  are  s]iecimens  of  accounts  ilinl  liad  been 
jiaiil,    without    any    wi-tmi:    inieiil    of    those    that 


Alldilnr     of      I'll}, lie     Accniinis  \S^ 

pi-i-sciiltMl  iliciii,  lilt'  jinl;^c  lli;il  ccriiticd  tliciii, 
i»i-  the  jiinlitor  that  i»;ii<l  llinii.  Inn  ;is  results  of 
iiii'\(iis;ililc  iu'iioraiicc  ami  ca  rclrssiicss. 

I  hail  liclpcil  to  fiMiiic  ami  pass  umisi  of  the 
fr\riiiic  laws,  and  was,  t  licfffoic.  familial'  with 
t  hi'iii. 

.Mv  ailiiiiiiisi  fat  ion  of  the  Amiitof's  otVicf  was 
fa\oi-alilv  coiiiiiu'iitcd  upon  liv  maiiv  who  had 
o|>poM'd  my  t'lt'ct  ii>ii.  The  follow  im;-  afc  soiin' 
of  ilic  comments. 

Till'  1  lai'i-isoiiltiii'L:  ( 'mil  iii'i/i  in  nil  h  said:  "  W'l' 
lia\i'  always  hccii  the  aiitipodf  of  Kr\.  -lohii  !•]. 
.Massi-\ ,  polii  ically,  so  faf  as  t  lir  Sia  ir  drltl  (pics- 
lioii  w  as  foiicci-m-d.  hut  that  dors  imt  pii-Nriit  us 
ffoiii  accofdiiii:  him  the  I'rcoi^Miit  iou  wliirli  is  his 
due.  as  mil'  of  the  most  \alt!alil('  olVni'i's,  jtasl 
of   pfcsciii,   of    \'ifi:iiiia"s    Stall'  (  io\ n- niiii'iit ." 

.Iiiduf  .Jaiiirs  (iaflaml  said:  "1  am  uiin'iy 
yrafs  old.  ami  lia\i'  hrcii  familiar  with  tin'  Aiidi- 
|iir"s  iillici'  for  sixty  yrars.  Mr.  MasM'y  is  tin* 
Im'si  Stati'  olViccr  wi*  ha\('  had  within  my  rcrol- 
liTl  ion."" 

The  Kirhiiioiid  117//'/  of  .January  iL'.  I^'^l, 
s.iid  :     ■•  Auditor   Masscy   has  iiiadr  anothrr  pay 

nii'Ilt    of  si  o.dUII    foi-    |iulilir    srlioiil    pUlfio^i'S.     .    .    . 

rmli'i'  till'  iii'W  administration  Ihr  pulilir  -m-IhmiI 
trailii-r<  throiiLdiojit  tlio  Siati-  aro.  and  ha\i' 
Im'cii  i-frri\  iu'_'  tlirii*  sahifii's  moi'o  ri'U'uIa  rl  \ . 
ami  iiK  Mill'  manifi'sis  ;i  mcairr  iuirri'si  in  iIh' 
wdfari-  iif  Mill-  piililic  scliiiols  than  Aihlitoi' 
.Ma^sry." 

Till'    I  ////'  //    I  ;'/■'//'///''///    said:      "  Iloii.    dolm    !•',. 
Ma'-M'y    i>^    makiuu'    a     iiinst    rniiinil    and    pain^ 
takiliLT  iilliii'I'.       Mr   \\:\<  tlir  Im^illf^s  of  that    otVin' 
iu     Iirltcf     riitldiliou     tliall      it      lia^     licrll     siller     the 

war." 


1st     A  u(f)hi()(/r(ij)Jii/    of    Join)    K.    Massry 

The  It'uislntiii'o  of  18S0  passed  a  ''l)ill  to  r(^- 
csiablisli  tlio  i)iibli('  cnMlil,"'  ])ut  the  (lovonior 
\('I(i('(l  it.  and  it  failed  to  ])ass  over  liis  veto. 
'I'liis  l)ill  to  settle  the  State  debt  ^^"as  known  by 
llie  name  of  its  author,  and  was  called  the  ''Kid- 
(lleberu'er  Jlill."' 


('iiArTi:i;  x\i 

UKAiM  I  s  ri:i:  rui:siiii;.N  ri.\i.  i;i.i:ri'(M;s 

'I'm;  Kcadjusicrs  held  a  (■(tii\cin  khi  in  Kiili- 
iii(i!iil  (III  llir  7tli  of  .Inly,  1>MI,  to  aiiiMiiiii  |*rr>i- 
i|rlili;il    fli-chil's. 

'I'lii'  Siah'  Ivxfcui  i\  r  ( 'oiiiiii  ill  cc,  of  which 
(Iriifi-al  Mahoiic  was  chainiiaii,  [McstMiicil  ihc 
folhiwiiiL:  Wfchirai  inn  df  Hu'  in-iiiciiih-s  ami  \^\\v- 
[Mixs  (if  1  he  parly  : 

'•  KKAIM  I  Sl'llliS*     I-I .A'lToK.M 

•"The  Ilcadjiisii'i-s  of  X'ir'Liiiiia.  in  coriN  cm  ion 
a>sciiih|c(|.  i-cncw  iiiLT  ihcii'  (lc(  lai-ai  ion  of  alh'ui- 
aiicc  to  the  in'iiici  jth's  of  local  self  uo\  cfiiiiiciil . 
and  i-c;i  niniiinir  liicir  nnaltcratdc  iiuf|io>f  to 
ki'cji  I  hem  stead  ily  in  \  icw  , 

'•  liCso|\ c.  'Idial  jiarly  lines  shonld  l)c  dfawii 
with  sole  i-cfcfcnci'  to  issues  lioi'ii  of  fniida- 
nieiital  pi-inciiiles.  and  thai  the  hiiiiie^i  u'liaian- 
tces  for  I  he  faiihful  execution  i>\'  any  i  ml  die 
ti'iivi  afe  a  riirid  and  res(dnie  adliefeiice  lo  this 
camm   of   judiiical    lilteiMy,  and   a    ffee  a\<iwal   of 

silicefe      [mfposc      to      |ifomoIe      tile      Wc|f:lfi'      atl'l 

mainiain  the  |eLr;il  laLrhts  of  all  the  jicoplc  of  the 
Si;iif.  iicjihcf  consent  iiiLT  to  the  suhord  iiia  i  ion  of 
tlh-  one  nor  ;ici|iiicv,-i  hit  in  'he  po^i  jHmemeiil  of 
the    (iilicf    ffMin    ;iny    coii^ideiat  inns   of    ptdicN    of 

e\  |>e(licncy. 

■•  L'.  d'hat  they  feas<eft  the  ri-ill  of  the  penple. 
tllfoll'jil  IImMI'  fe[H'eSenIal  i\  es.  to  eXcfci^e  Mi\Cf- 
ciLrn    (dtlll'oj     of    the     re\-enile>,    aild     pfotesl     a  UM  i  n 


ISO     A  iil('hi<)</r<i pill/    of    John    K.    M<is.s(if 

nirainsi  all  (IcNiccs  to  snlt<)i-(]inai('  llic  support 
of  ^oNcriiiiicnt  and  the  iiiainlciiaiicc  of  piihlic  iii- 
siiiiiiioiis  lo  aiiv  oilier  claim  wiiatsocvci' ;  and 
solciiuilv  I'caniriiiinn'  llic  |»i-iiicipl('s  and  i)olicy 
laid  down  1)_\-  llic  conNcnlion  ludd  at  Mo/.ai't 
llall  on  I'clnaiary  L'o,  1S7!>,  do  licrcby  a|»iii'o\<^ 
and  cndoi'sc  the  'bill  to  I'c-cslatdisli  the  pnhlic 
credit' — upon  wliicli  the  ])('oj)l('  were  denied  tlie 
j)ri\"ile.i;e  of  passini!,"  judiiMiienl  \)y  a  ]>ariisan  and 
ai'hit  I'ai'v  exercise  of  llie  executixe  ^-eto — as  coi'- 
I'ectly  einltodyinu"  the  same,  as  fairly  meetini;  tlu^ 
eipiities  of  the  case  and  the  necessities  of  the 
])eople,  and  as  const  iint  inu"  the  exti-eme  limit  of 
h'U'al  and  moi'al  oldiuation  njton  the  ])ai't  of  this 
Commonwealth  to  the  holders  of  hei'  bonds. 

"  .'k  That  while  it  is  of  iri-a\('  imjxn-tance  to 
e\('ry  interest  of  th(^  Commonwealth  that  the 
fpiestion  of  tlie  jtiihlic  ^]('^){  slionhl  he  tinally  and 
faii'ly  dis]»osed  of,  no  sctthMiient  can  have  tlie 
essential  fealnre  of  tlTiality  which  shall  laclc  the 
a])j)i'oval  of  the  peojde;  and  consent  will  Tievei' 
he  Li'iven  hv  the  majority  foi*  whom  this  conven- 
1  ion  is  empowered  to  s|)ealc  to  any  |»lan  which 
in\'oh'es  an  inci'ease  of  taxation,  which  creates 
any  lien  npon  the  I'evennes,  which  en(hniixei's  the 
system  of  frei^  eilncatioTi  oi'(h'iined  by  the  Consti- 
tntioT).  which  inclmh's  wai-  an<1  i-econsti-nct  i(tn 
interest  in  compntatioTi  of  the  (h'bf,  which  i-ec- 
oirnizes  an\'  liability  for  that  poi'tion  set  asid(^ 
to  A\'csl  A'ir^'inia.  whicli  niakcs  or  continnes  dis- 
criminafion  between  dilTei-eiii  classes  of  tlie  ])iib- 
lic  ci'editors.  which  places  the  interest  of  State 
oi-  ])ondh(ddeT"  in  the  l<ee])inLf  of  aii'ents  othei- 
than  the  financial  olVicers  of  the  utixci-nmeiit . 
wliich  i-elie\es  from  taxation  any  propei-ly  not 
spe(ificall\-  exem]>te(l  ]\y  the  ( 'onsl  it  11 1  ion.  which 


li'i  'idjtisti  r   I'/-'  si(l<  III  Kil    l'lt<l"rs         1>7 

(Mii\ci'l^  ;i  ciiiM't'iicv  iilili^-;ii  imi  iino  diic  pavaMf 
ill  Li'iM.  <'i'  wliitli  iiiii>itx,s  ail  iiih'i'csi  liahiliiv 
lai-i'i-  iliaii  tail  wiili  irnaiiii\  In-  nid  oiil  of 
ic\  .iiiic'^  imi  (Icsi  iMh  I  i\  (■  of  ilic  iiiil'.isirial  iiili-r- 
«•>:  N  (if  1  he  Stale. 

••  I.  'I'liai,  iTcduiii/.iiiu-  ilicic  ulilii:ai  ion  ;inil 
I'liM-hi  iiiiiiii;-  ihfii'  iiiii'iil  imi  li>  su|t|n>rt  and  oNcy 
li.i-  riilrial  ami  Siaic  < 'oiivi  inn  i<>iis  as  ilic  oiilv 
vine  piMi  eel  ion  of  ihc  (JNil  iind  ]iolilif;il  riulils 
of   ciii/iiiv,   iiiiil    \]\v   oiilv    safr   luilwaiis    auaiii'-l 

rIli!o;l(   linii'lll      lllioll     lllC     lilicrlirs     of     llli'     iTsi.lu- 

;:r;i-.  >'(  v,  i\ , -i-riu-n  I  v   ill  all   |m)|hiI;ii-  uo\  criiini'iils. 
lie    !!i-a<l  iii>-iiTs  I  riirialo  ilicii-  iMirposr  lo  \intli 
(,i!  •    and    inainiain    ilic    coiivi  inn  iona  I    riu'liis   of 
ilii'  1  iii/.cn  lo  ilic  r\ri'(i>i'  of  a  frrc  ;ind  |iri((l«'ss 
SI  I  ii'iml:!'. 

■•.""..  Tliai  a<  ihi'  Noicf  of  the  iM'oplc  is  ilic 
>oni("  o!'  all  riudiifnl  powrr.  so  is  ihr  liivi  dniy 
of  uoN  .•riiiiiciit  lowai'd  M'cnrinir  and  ma  iniainiinj: 
ill'-  popiilar  i-iu'ii--  and  iniiTrvis.  and  \\  c  ijrniand 
ai  llii'  hands  of  all  dc|  M  rimi'iil  s  ( d'  llic  <!o\i'!'li- 
liMMii  of  X'iiuinia  an  lioiicsi  a  |i]difai  ion  of  con 
>i  i  I  ui  ion;i  I  Lirani^  to  ilic  I'diication  <d"  the  diil- 
i|;-mi  of  ilic  |ifo|di-.  a  fosirfin^i'  policy  toward  the 
jcddie  -.rhiM.N  and  r(dlruc^.  ;ind  a  full  aial  ucii 
i-r^iiv  ii-coLinii  ion  of  ilu'  claims  upon  piildic 
--iippoi-;  ,if  ihc  ii|v|  ii  lit  ions  fur  the  ins;im'  and 
11  n  f'  'ft  iimi  I  e. 

••  li^  That  the  paramount  oMi'^aiion  «d'  the  \a- 
rioiiv    \\Mi!,v   ,,f    internal    improx  rinriii    is    in    the 

pe.iple      iif      the      S!:llc.      I.\       wllos,-     :inllloI-il\       tlie\ 

\\.r>'  ii'Ml'-d.  h\  w  ho-^i-  moiii'\  i!n\  w  me  eon 
si  rihl  I'l  !,  :il!d  1>\  whos,'  :^iMcr  lhe\  I  i  \  e  :  ;ind  it 
iv  illio'ned  npon  nlll-  reprevdl  tat  i\  e  ;ind  e\ec 
nii\.'  olVliKl-s  lo  cnfofec  the  (lisehafLie  of  tliat 
dul\.     lo     ilisllfe    to    the     jteo|de    of    N'il'^illia     SUcIl 


1S8     Ai(lrihi()(/r(ij)}ii/    of    Jolni    K.    Mdssry 

rates,  facilities,  and  coiniectloiis  as  will  pi-otect 
every  iiulusti'v  aii<l  iiitei'est'  a<i:aiiist  (liseriniina- 
tioii,  tend  to  the  (level(>])iiieiit  of  their  aii:i'i('nl- 
tui'al  and  mineral  i-esoiii-ees,  eneouraiie  the  iii- 
^•estIlleIlt  of  active  ca])ital  in  iiianiifactnr(»s  and 
tiie  jM'ofitable  eiiiploviiieiit  of  labor  in  industrial 
entei'prises,  i;'i'as]»  U)V  onr  cities  those  advanlau"es 
to  ^\hich  by  reason  of  tlieii'  j^eou,i'a]tliical  ])osi- 
tion  they  are  entitled,  and  fnllill  all  the  li'reat 
]>ul)lic  ends  for  which   they  \V(M'e  desiii'ned. 

'*  7.  That  while  lookinn"  to  the  iiiainteiiance  of 
the  ])i-iTn-i])les  and  accoinplishnient  of  local  o1)- 
jects  above  set  foi'th  as  sn]MM'i()r  to  all  other  con- 
si(hM'at  ions  with  Avhich  the  Keadjustei's  as  a 
])arty  have  to  <leal,  then^  are  reasons  both  of 
duty  and  ]>oli('V  why  this  oi'^anizat ion,  called 
into  existeTH'c  by  a  majority  of  the  ])(m»])1(»  of 
Viruinia,  should  confi-ol  as  such  the  voice  of  this 
State  in  national  affairs.  It  is  iinjtortant  to  a 
successful  issiu'  of  tlio  contest  in  ISSl  for  su- 
j)T'emacy  in  the  riujimonwealth  that  tlu^  T'e])i'e- 
seiitatives  to,  and  of,  the  Fetbu'al  ( lOA'ei'nmeut 
fi'oui,  and  in,  A'ii'irinia  should  not  be  found,  as 
hitherto,  contest  inii:  Jmd  obstruct  ini;  the  mani- 
fest will  of  a  majoi'ity  of  this  ]ieo])le  u]to7i  do- 
mestic opei-ations.  To  the  end,  therefoi'e,  that 
])owei'  may  Tiot  fall  into  the  haiids  of  avow<'(1 
enemies  of  the  cause  of  Head  just  ment .  of  lil)eral 
irovernment.  and  of  ])oj(ular  sovereiirnty.  this 
con\'eiition  nominates  a  full  ticket  of  elecloi's. 
and  that  it  T'ecommends  to  the  pai'ty  in  the  se\- 
cT-al  disfi-icts  of  the  State  to  hold  coii\-eut  i(Uis 
and  nominate  candidates  for  seats  in  the  l^edm-al 
Conu'i-ess.  AtkI  belie\inix  that  the  objects  hith- 
erto (b'clared  and  the  inter(^sts  of  all  the  ])eo])l(^ 
of  \'iT'i:inia  ai'e  to  b(>  Ix^st  snbserA'e(l  b\-  the  elec- 


tiiiTi  of  Il.iiicock  ;mil  I'liiirlisli  to  tli«'  iircsiili'nc\- 
:niil  \ict'  jd-csidnicy  of  (In-  riiiicil  Sl;itfs.  tlici'i'- 
fnfc  fiH't 111 T  <lfM •hire  t  lint  t  lit'  clfci  iM-;il  i  ickd  ikhm- 
in;ii('i]  liv  this  convent  ion  is  iiist  fuc'fil  in  lidmlf 
of  those  c'lndidntcs,  jind  tli;it  tlicy  ;iii'  coi-dinll  r 
coiiiiiicndfd  lo  tlic  ciii'iicsi  snppoi-i  of  cxiTv  iiicni- 
Im'I-  of  this  oi-u;ini/.;it  ion   in   \'ii'Lrini;i. 

••  S.  'I'liiit  tln'  I'cdornl  < 'io\ri'iiiiii'iii .  in  cm-i-v 
dt'i»;ii-i  iiii'iit.  slionld  lit'  ;idininistri-ci|  in  exact 
confuT'iii  it  y  with  (he  ( 'oust  it  nt  imi  ;is  it  is;  that  it 
is  the  duty  of  the  citi/.cn  to  acccid  in  irood  fniih 
the  I'c^nlts  of  the  wai'.  and  that  the  aim  of  slates- 
!iianslii[i  shonld   1»e  (o  estaldisli    peace  ami   -jood 

will     hefWei'Il     all     sections    of    oUI*    cimillloll     coim- 

ti-\-  and  all  (daises  (tf  the  people;  that  powers 
which  ai'e  i^i-anted  for  the  i^eneral  i^mod  cannot 
^afrly  noi-  riiiiit  fnlly  be  jirostiinled  lo  the  fos- 
trrinLT  of  classes,  and  the  dnties  and  pia\  ilcLTe-;. 
tin-  iMii'dms  and  Iteiiefits,  of  i,nt\ci'nment,  shonld 
he  e(|nall\-  (list  I'ihnted  ;  that  the  tai-ilT  and  ie\i- 
line  s\sti'iiis  of  the  ( lON'el'nnielit  slioldd  he  fe- 
foiaiied  to  the  extent  that  no  intei'cst  should  he 
pfotecteil  at  the  expense  of  anotlief;  that  the 
I'eilffal  tax  upon  tobacco  is  an  nnjn^t  discfimi 
nation  aii'ain^t  the  land  and  laboi'  iMiiployed  in 
airritiilt  ni-e.   and   onL'lit    to  ])i'  repealed. 

"I*,  'i'hat  in  the  cxei'cise  of  snch  powers  a>< 
th''  pciipir  (if  \'ii'L:inia  may  ^ee  tit   to  Im^Iow  upon 

thiv    p;il't\-    in    State    ol'    I'e(lrl'al    ;iiy;iil'<.    thr    IJead 

jn^tci-s  ^tniid  pledL'''<1  to  a  faithful  ohvcfx  ;i  nci' 
of   the   prim-iplcs   and    an   eaiaicst    pui'suit    of  the 

ohiiM-ts    Ih-I-rin    srt     forth." 


As  luu'ctofiu'e  stated.  To-ad just  mm t  had  m» 
connei-tion  with  national  politics.  The  ditTei'- 
ences    hi'tweeii    T^imdefs    and     1  Jead  just ci's     per- 


190     A  utohi(^(inij)]iii    of    'JoJni    1'.    M(iss<ji 

taiiKMl  wliolly  to  Slate  iiialtcrs.  IIciicc  cacli 
]»ai'ty  was  coiiijtosi'd  <»f  Ixdh  Democrats  and  llv- 
})ul)]i('aiiH. 

A  comciit  ioTi  of  llie  I'^uiidcr  wiiiii"  of  llic  Dciiio- 
ci-atic  party  liad  been  held  on  the  liMh  of  May 
])i'('C('d  iiii;  Id  send  dcli'uatcs  to  tlic  jti't'sidi'iit  ial 
coiiNciit  ion  wliicli  was  to  meet  in  (Mncinnati, 
Ohio,  and  to  apjxdnt    jiresident  ial  electoi-s. 

The  followini;;  electors  wci-e  a])])ointed  l)y  it  : 
(Jen.  .John  I'^chols  and  Col.  W  \V.  McKinney, 
electors  at  laru'e;  Thomas  Ci-oxton,  1st  disti-ici; 
(\  r..  Watts.  lM  district;  Hill  Cartel-,  Md  dis- 
trict ;  Sammd  Coleman.  4th  district;  .1.  S.  Tijy- 
ton.  ."til  district;  Samuel  Ciiatlin,  (Wli  district; 
V.  ^].  -McMnllen,  7th  district;  J.  V.  :\renifee.  Sth 
district,  and  \\'illiam  Terry.  9th  disti-ict. 

I  tlionuiit  the  ado])tion  of  the  Keadjnstei'  ])1at- 
form  by  the  Head  jtistei*  con\-ent  ion.  c(»m])()sed  of 
both  DemocT-ats  and  iJeptddicans.  wonld  i»i'event 
inittinu'a  llepidilican  ticket  in  the  tield.  and  in- 
sure the  State  to  Haiicdck  and  I'3n,i:iish.  no  mat- 
ter wliicii  ticket-  l-'nnder  or  IJeadjnster — ij,"ot  the 
laru'ei-  \-ote.  Hence  I  ad\"ocafe<1  it  in  a  s])eech, 
^\•hicll  <';)l(ttiel  IJulVm  and  others  [ironounced 
'"the  speech  (if  my  life."  T  am  (piite  sure  T 
ne\'er  made  a   nioi-e  cfj^ic/irc  speech. 

Th(-  ]>latform  was  adopte*]  willi  practical 
iin;iinmity.  and  the  fullowiiiu'  electors  were  a|)- 
poiide<l  :  Cohuiel  ('amei'oii  and  Senator  H.  11. 
TJiildleberu'er.  electors  at  lar^e;  Kobei't  ^layo, 
1st  disti'ict;  Colonel  William  Land).  iM  district; 
John  S.  \Vise.  ^d  distriiM;  V.  K.  I'.uford.  Ith  dis- 
ti-ict  ;  William  Powell,  ."tli  district;  C.en.  \V.\att 
^\.  l':i]iott.  <;ih  district;  J.  S.  IJrownell.  7ih  dis- 
trict; M.  II.  Meade.  Sth  district;  J.  (\  Taylor, 
9tli  district. 


All     llirsr    chlilllfd     In     lie     1  )( '11  |mc  IM  I  s.    .-HkI     I     l»l'- 

lii'\ii|   ilii'ir  rhiiiii  iM  lie  jiivi.      /  ////,/  ,1,,  thiiilil   III 

M  II  III  nil    s    I  )i  niiir/ilil/    i,r    h/s-    jn!  I  r  1 1  il  i  s  m  , 

\\'l|i-II    III'    jiiiiird    llic    li'c;|il Jllslrl'   ]i;i;My    lit-    IlllUJi' 

ilif  Whui  ii s  (irun II  ;  ;i ml,  foi'  ;i  liiiir,  ii  ri'ii(ii'r<-<l 
Mil'    |i;iii\    \  aliiiililc  sci-\i(i';   Imii.   l:i;ii  I  ii.i  1 1  \ .   .111(1 

liV  ;illli(isl  i  Iii|H-|Tr|iI  ililr  ilri:i-ci'v,  j]  ci  m  \  i -iM  •  ■«  j 
llic  L'lMil  jll^Ii'I-  |i;il-lv  illlo  A  Millnnii  |i;il-I\.  I  I -^ 
WMpk  \\;l>^  (ImIic  so  i  Ilsidinllsl  \  lliMl  1)111  t'fW  dis- 
i(i\iTi'<l  ils  (Icsiu'U  lllllil  lIli-V  Wcl'f  ||(i|(c|cs^lv 
fli-.li;irc(|. 

<  lcih'i-;i  I  .\l;iliMiif.  in  I  he  iiic;i  m  i  \\\>-,  liliiiilcd 
;iii(|   ilflmlfil   Ills   followers  Iiv   llic  si  roiiLivvi    pro- 

h'-.I;i  1  iollv    of    loV;illV     lo     I  )cIllorl-;|cy.    ;ili(|    o|i|)osi- 

I  ioii    I  o    li'cjpiilil  if;i  iiisiii. 

A  iiijiiililici  II  coiiv  (Mil  ion  \\;is  lidij  iind  ;i  Ki'- 
[iiiMir.in     tdci-i  or;il      I  ickd     ;i  |iiioinli'd.       Ii      \\;is 

rli;i  luvd  ||i;;|  |li;||  \\;|s  done  ;il  M 11  llolli ''s  ilisli- 
U ;  1 1  i  I '  1 1 . 

lie  ddiifd  lliis  in  IilosI  riii]ili;i  I  ic  Icriiis.  dc- 
il;iriiiL:'  wiili  ;in  onih.  ••  Tlir  \(iii'  (d'  \'irL:ini;i 
vli;ill  //'  /■'  ,•  III  iilri  I,  In  (;<ir/i<  hi .'  "  I  lhdir\cd 
liiiii    lo   lie  sincere. 

lie    lii-;ird    lli;ll     lii;inv    1  Jeil  d  j  lisl  el's,    fciiriliL;'   llllll 

I  w  o   |>ci r.-iiic  elccior;il   lickeis  iiii'^li'   >"  divide 

llic  I  »cIi:mcI-;i  I  Ic  \ole  ;iv  |o  ^'i  \c  I  he  Ke]illldlc;in 
elec|(.r;il    lickel    ;i     |  d  1 1  f;  1 1  i  I  \  .    Wci'c    coiili'lii  |i!;i  I  i  nu' 

XmIJMl:'    for    llli'    clccloT'-    ;l|l|ioinIed    ll\     ihe     M;l\     coll 

\  eiiiioM.      To  div|M  1    I  !i  i^v   fe;ir,  or  lo  1 1, -I  r  I  III    I  In  i  r 

"I     I  III  'i  ml.     lie     IMlIdi-^lied     I  he     ('(dhiw  in--  : 


■■  <  "i  •nun  in  ee   K'oi  mis. 

••  l>'e;id  in-^lcr  (  ifjn  ni/.;i  lion. 

••  L'ichmoinl,   \';i..  (  >cl.   L'^.    1  ^so 

••    I, el      me    ;l-SllI-e     \oll.    ;|S     I     do    conlidenll\.     lllil 

oiii-    I'hiiornl    lickel,    heiided    li\     ('anicriMi    ;im 


102     A}ii<>h\(Kjr<iph}i    of    John    K.    Maf<f<cii 

Ri(ldl('bor<rer,  and  pledij^od  (o  irancock,  will 
carry  llie  Stale  l»y  a  ])lurality  of  I'o.OOO :  that  it 
will  Ix'at  either  the  FniuhM*  oi-  (Irijjsack  ticket 
by  this  vote — not  less.     Kely  on  this. 

(Sijjrned)    ^'Wilijam   ^Maiioxk." 


T  (lid  Tiot,  and  roiijij  ))of,  donbt  (Jeneral  Ma- 
hone's  Democracy  after  snch  ])nl)lic  declarations 
as  these,  in  addition  to  thos(^  niad(^  ti»  me  ])ri- 
vately.  AVhen  he  was  so  sharply  criticised  bv 
R.'nator  Hill  in  the  T'nited  States  Senate— too 
shar])ly,  T  thonis'ht — and  retorted  that  he  was  a 
''better  Democi'at  than  the  Senator  fi'om  Oeor- 
ijia,"  and  added,  *'•■  T  want  the  irenthMuan  to 
know  henceforth  and  forever  that  her*^  is  a  man, 
sir.  that  dares  stan<l  np  and  speak  for  himsidf 
in  all  mattei's  withoni  regard  to  cancns,"  I  ap- 
j)landed  his  in(h^]>endence. 

I  little  thonirht  that  he  that  thns  proclaimed 
his  independence  of  cancns  i-nle  was  seekin;fr  to 
l)ind  others  to  obey  the  most  ii^nominions  cancns 
rules  ever  fi'amed. 


CllATTi:!:    X\ll 

i;i:.\iM  rsTKK  (iiiuiUNA  1(>i;iai>  (  o.w  iintiun 

A  iii;Ai».i  rsTKK  coinciiiioii  was  calli-d  lo  iiomi- 
iiatr  candidalt'S  for  ( loNcriior,  Lit'Ult'iiaiil-(  lov- 
(iiKir,  and  At((»riU'\ -<  K'licral.  It  was  to  iiit'cl  in 
li'icliIiKiIld   dh  dune  L',    1S>1. 

Sdiiic  liiiic  Ixd'orc  it  was  t<>  lie  iicid  (It'iicfal 
.Malmnc  sent  U>v  iiir.  Tlic  iiit('f\ii'W  ix'Iwcrn  us 
Mii-jii-isi'd  and  shocked  nic  It  cdnndfit'l  v 
clian^t'd  niv  opinion  (d"  idni;  and  this  was  tlir 
\:i>\    iiii('i-\  it'W   wc  ('\('f   had. 

<'ol.  Williaiu  10.  Canici'on,  ("apt.  dohn  S.  Wise, 
and  1  were  (andidatt'S  for  the  _ii;iib('rnatorial  nom- 
inal ion. 

(!('ncr;ii  Mahoiic  inlfodiiccd  the  sulijoct  that 
hi'  wished  to  discuss  with  inc  hy  sayinu':  "  To 
my  uticr  surju'isc,  Hilly  ('amcriui  lias  asjiira- 
I  ions  for  ihc  Lro\ci-noi-shi|i  1  What  has  jir 
(•\(i'  dime  lo  ciiiiMc  him  to  ii?  Wdirn  ,\im.  sir. 
wiic  c;ni\  ;i>siim-  ill''  whoh'  Sialc  almost  solitary 
and  ahuic,  ,ii  youf  own  cjiaf^cs.  hr  conldiri  he 
LT'ii  to  c;iii\;ivs  a  sinuic  county.  It  will  he  liuu- 
ciiouuh  fof  liim  sixteen  yeai's  hence,  if  e\er. 
And    ilieic   is  dohniiy    \\'i>e.      Ili''s  ^oi    such    no 

liiiii--    in    his    hi'ad  :    Imt    dohnny    is   a    u' 1    little 

felhiw.  ;iiid  w  c  c;iii  mii^hly  easily  dispone  ,if  him. 
The  m;itiii-  iv  v(,  :j:ciici  a  I  ly  undorsiood  o\cr  the 
Sinti'   that    if   iho   peojilc  are   Id    aloue   they   will 

sr]]i\     ;i     sdlid     deji'Lral  inn  ;     ihcl'e    will     he    hui     one 

naiiH'  hefofc  the  coUNoiiiion,  and  _\ou'll  he  nomi- 
naied   hy  acclamai  ion." 


Ill  J       Alll'ihi'Hiril plljl     nf     Jdlni     /:.     M(iss(ij 

T\\(']\  (l^o])J)iIl^•  liis  voice,  looking:  me  dirc^etly 
ill  lilt'  eves,  ;iii(l  Icimiiin- f(»r\\;i nl,  licsnid:  ''  I'.ut 
these  iiicii  li;i\t'  ])i-oniist'(l  iiic  upon  thcii'  sjicred 
lioiKii'  lluit  tlu'.v  will  stjiiid  liv  me,  tliey  don't. 
cill-c  irhal  I  (In.  ;iiid  will  i;(  >  with  liie,  tlli'V  (loift. 
ca  I'e   irlii  ri    I   </'>." 

I  was  surpi'ised  and  siioeked!  It  at  oTire 
llaslicd  tipMii  me  that  (iciieral  Malioiie  was  i;( ting 
Id  do  somelliini:'  and  take  some  step  iiicoiisisteiit 
wit  li   liis  |)ast    pi-ot'essioiis. 

I  loolscd  at  him  as  earnestly  as  he  did  at  mo, 
and  said:  "(leneral  Mahone,  1  hojte  you  are 
not  going  to  do  anylhing  1  eaiTt  a|)j>rove,  and 
that  yon  are  not  uoing  anywhere  that  I  ean't 
go.  lull  that  is  a  ]»i'omise  1  make  no  man.  I'm 
going  with  yon  just  so  far  as  I  tliiid<  yon  ai'e 
rinlil.  and  no  fnrilier:  ami  1  shall  always  (daim 
the  riuiit  to  think,  to  s]ieak,  and  to  act  for  mv- 
sell'."' 

This  \\as  the  last  inteiwicw  we  cNcr  had.  I 
lost  cunlidcncc  in  him.  and  he  tinding  he  eonld 
iKil  use  me  lor  his  pei-soiial  ends,  had  no  further 
nv   U\v  me. 

Soon  afli'f  this  inlmwiew  diidgo  X.  15.  ^Feade, 
<'f  Alexa  iidi'ia.  informed  me  that  liy  llie  diree- 
lion  iif  (Jelieral  Mahone.  "Jersey  doiies  "'  liad 
teicL^-raphed  to  (leiieral  (iroiier.  of  Norfolk,  to 
L'o  io  W'asli ingloii  to  see  (Jeiieral  Malione;  that 
<!iiieral  .Mahoiie  lold  (leiieral  (!roner  to  beeoiiK^ 
a  eandidate  for  (;o\-ern<ir.  and  regardless  of  cost 
to  secure  one  hundred  delegates  to  the  gidnM*- 
naieijiil  conxeiiiion  that  liad  lieen  in^lriicteil  for 
me. 

'leneral  .Mahone  had  aeipiired  and  exercised 
aIiMo--i  a  nt  I  lei-a  I  ie  pow(r  o\('r  a  large  p(triion  of 
t  he   Kead  insjei-  part  \'. 


J\>  (nljiisli  r    (I idii  ritnl'iriul    ( 'oitn  nt inn      10,") 

His  jtlaii.  ;is  si;iic(i  l»y  .lii(li:;('  .Meade,  was  to 
jU'eM-iil  iiiv  iiniuina!  itiii  (III  till-  liist  l>all()t;  then 
when  ('(ildiiel  ("aiiiei-oirs  friends  and  mine  lie- 
I'anie  {titled  auainsi  dUe  aimilier,  as  he  supposed 
lliev  Wonid,  Id  lia\('  liiddleliel '^el'  noiiiinale<l  for 
(ioNernm-  and  (Ii'imer  Un  Lieiiienani  ( io\ crnor. 
At    the  next    eh'ction    \'nv    I '  n  i  I  ed   Slates   Senator 

Ki<hnelierLi-eI-     was     t(»     he    eh'cled     tn     the     Senate, 

and  (it'oiiei"  to  hecoiiie  ( !( i\  ffiiiir. 

Aniiihel"  |iaii  of  the  |iiiiL;i-aiiiiiic  was  td  'j;r\  as 
inanv  i>\'  iiiv  (hde^aies  as  he  etmhl  t<»  i::iNe  dohn 
S.  Wise  '•  (•(iniplinieiilai'v  \otes."'  The  Ivichinond 
di'h'L;at  idii,  whirh  was  for  nie,  was  indneed  to  do 
this  on  the  lirsi  halhn.  When  the  sei-oiid  hal- 
hit  was  liein;:"  taken,  and  thnse  whi»  had  ^iNcn 
"  cnniitlinieiiiafv  \-oies"  to  Wise  cKnunenced 
\()tinu-  fdp  iiie,  and  it  seemed  aitpareiit  that  1 
wuiihl  lie  noniinaietl,  a  Mr.  Lindsav,  nf  Norfolk, 
iKiminateil  iriddh'heruci'.  Hut  this  met  witli  NCfv 
lilih-  eneoufaucment.  I  >f.  Kicliai<l  .\.  Wise  then 
muninaled  (oMieial  .Mah(tne.  'IMiis  i'eeei\ed  hut 
sliLihl  simis  (d'  a|ipi'i>\al.  and  a  mot  inn  was  then 
made,  ainl    jirn/iou in-<  i!  eafi'ie(|.   to  adjdUi'n. 

'I'lie  ne\i  miu-iiiiiL:;  w  lieii  the  conNcnlion  met.  a 
(h'h'iz'aie  fi-(un  Uedfofil  ("(tuniv  inf(ii-me(|  me  that 
he  had  ••  piioh'd  "'  fort  v  xotes  whieh  slmuld  all  he 
east  f(i!'  me  it'  I  would  Lri\e  ihelU  ten  dollai'S 
apiece.     M  V  imli'j.!i;i  I  i"U  was  tluuMUuidv  ai-nusi'd. 

I  ^aiil  In  him:  "N'nu  are  a  di^i:'raee  to  hu- 
man ii\.  and  (I  mill  I  In  he  kicked  out  (if  K'ichmoiid  ! 
The  time  wa^  when  while  men  snld  ueL;r<ies! 
N'dw  \(iii  cdiiie  and  pi'(i|i(ivf  i<i  sell  while  men 
\'i\v   the   pit  i  ful   sum   (if    ten   dfil  hi  I's  !  "" 

M  V  headi|nariei'<  were  at  SanL:'('r"s  llall.  and 
the  c(in\  eiii  idii  was  heiiiLT  held  in  the  theatre 
near  It  v. 


19t)     AHlohloijruphy    of    John    K.    Masscy 

My  friends  niiinbering  from  350  to  400,  seeing 
tlie  irickery  that  was  being  practiced,  left  the 
conveniion  and  went  to  my  headqnarters,  declar- 
ing iliey  would  nominate  me  or  break  uj}  the 
c()n\  ention. 

1  said  to  them:  ''You  are  excited.  1  am  not. 
As  yon  have  shown  such  conlidence  in  me  as  to 
wish  to  make  me  your  Governor,  1  hope  you 
will  now  listen  to  me,  and  go  with  me  into  the 
convention." 

1  had  not  been  in.  AVlien  I  went  in  the  noise 
and  confusion  were  indescribable.  I  went  upon 
tiic  stage,  and  as  soon  as  oi-der  could  be  restored 
1  said  to  the  convention: 

"I  am  but  a  man,  subject  to  like  passions  as 
otlier  men,  and  if  I  sliould,  under  the  excitement 
of  tlie  moment,  say  indiscreet  things,  yoti  must 
Itear  with  uw.  I  (h)  not  think,  liowever,  that  I 
sliall  say  anytliing  tliat  ought  not  to  be  said. 
^'ou  ai-c  excil(Ml.  1  am  as  calm  as  a  May  morn- 
ing. One  evidence  that  Solomon  ga\e  of  his  wis- 
(ioiii  was  ^^llen  two  women  \\on\  to  him  with  a 
(lead  am]  a  living  cliild.  I'ach  claimed  that  the 
living  cliild  was  hei-s.  ami  the  dead  child  was 
the  other  woman's.  Solomon  said.  '  This  N\'oman 
s.iys  the  li\ing  child  is  liei-s  and  the  (b'ad  child  is 
tlic  olliei'  woman's:  and  Ihdf  woman  says  the 
li\ing  cliild  is  hers,  and  the  dead  child  the  other 
\\oiii;iri's.  How  can  I  tell?  Ui-ing  me  a  swoi'd 
;iii(]  (1i\i(le  both  the  dead  and  the  living  child 
in  !i;ilf  ;in(l  gixo  half  to  the  one  and  half  to  the 
oilid'.'  Tlie  spurious  (dainiant  said,  'Let  it  be 
iicitlier  mine  not-  lliinc.  but  di\ide  it.'  The  true 
iiioilicr  said.  •(;i\('  her  the  li\ing  child  and  in 
tio    wise   s];i\    it.'      Solomon    said,   '(live   her  the 


Rrailjusd  r    (,' uhi  nmldiial    Conrt  niton      1I>7 

cliild:  sill'  is  tlii'  iiuitlicr  of  it.'  1  sui^posr  no  one 
will  (Iciiv  that  KcadjusliiK'iit  is  /////  child,  nn/ 
IniiitHiK/.  I  l»roii;^lit  ii  iiii(»  cxisicncr,  1  nursed 
ii  in  iis  infancv,  1  trained  it  in  its  youtii,  I 
counsi'lli'd  it  in  ils  manhood,  and  1  am  not  will- 
in;^  to  sec  it  killed  in  its  maturity  (iixc  ail  lo 
the  oiln'i"  man  I  1  ask  my  li'iends  to  vole  for 
( 'ameron."' 

'I'hey  did  so,  and  he  was  nominated. 

As  soon  as  the  conxention  was  o\-er.  (leiieral 
.Malione  was  husily  tryin:^  to  eon\  inee  my  friends 
thai  he  wished  me  to  lie  nominate*!  -said  1  de- 
serNtMJ  and  ou;j:ht  to  ha\e  reeei\('d  the  nomina- 
tion,  that    1    had  been   liadly   treateil.  rie. 

'idle   Kiehmond    Wli'n/  of  .Iiih'  s,    !>>!,  said: 


"We  lia\e  heretofore  noticed  Mr.  .Massey's 
u'raeefui  and  ]tatriotie  course  in  the  convention 
to  secure  harmonious  acceptance  (d'  the  nomina- 
I  ion  td"  ('(domd  ("ameron  l»y  wiiich  his  own  noui- 
inatiou  was  defeatiMJ. 

"  It  was  truly  a  iiolde  sjiiril  which  iiiijielled 
him  to  f(ireu'<»  his  own  disa|iiM)ini  iiifui  in  that 
moment  of  excitement  ami  passion,  ;nid  to  re- 
iiieiulier  notliiiiLr  hut  the  UMeal  cause  \'i<v  which 
he  hail  lonu'  manifested  uuliriui:  zeal  and  limit- 
less (jeNiiiioii.  Not  (ud\  was  his  course  in  ihal 
crisis  i^-raiid.  hut  his  el(M|ueiii  s]ie(>rli  was  e(|ual 
to  the  hiu'liesi  demands  of  ihe  (iceasjiiii.  and 
peiii'lraled   the  \asl   assciiilily  hefiu-e  him   with   its 

coII\  illciUL'    and     persuasive    poWel'.        Never    lief(U'e 

had  .Mr.  .Massey  risen  to  a  irreaiei-  heiLrht.  and 
never  did  he  j>eif(U-m  an  aci  which  so  endeared 
him  to  his  |iarlv.  and  so  elevated  him  in  iis  re- 
spect   ami    esteem. 


IltS      A  i/ldliintini ji]i  1/    (if    .lolnt    A,'.     Massii/ 

"  Sri'\i(('s  so  urciif  ;is  Ills.  ;il)ilili('s  so  \-;n'i()iis 
;iii(l  cnii^iiiciKiiis.  nssocijilcd  with  so  iii;iu:n;nii- 
iiiou^  ;i  ifiiipcT'.  will  ii('\('r  he  foi-uoitcn  oi'  imdcr- 
Miliicil.  ,iiii|  cjiiiiiol  liui  he  I'ullv  i'ccoL;"iii/<'(l  iiiul 
i-i-w  ;i  rilcij." 


I,;ii(i'.  w  Iicii  I  (Icfi'iitcd  .Miilioiic's  iiicnsiiT'cs. 
l!lis  s;ili|('  117////  spolvc  of  liic  ;is  '•  tli;il  111  iscrjl  hic 
old    poliiiciil    Iraiiiji." 


ciiAi'Ti:!:   will 

Tin:   MAiiuxi;  I'l.iiiK.i: 

Tin:  sickness  ;iiii|  ili';iili  of  I  w  M  (if  iiiv  cliililri'ii 
|>l'r\  fiilccl  iiif  fidiii  ;i(li\r  |  t;i  11  i  c  i  ]  Ki  1  i  i  ill  ill  ijic 
Uiil'irii.ilti|-i;il    (MiiMiss    \irv   cmiIv.      Wlini    I    did 

filler  llle  e;ill\;iss  I  I'dUIld  new  e\  idelires  iif  .Ma- 
li(ini-"s    I  l-iekel-\  . 

lie      was      Selldin;j,'      asse>siiieni  s      in      all      ntViee- 

li<ildi'i-s    iiiidei-    I  he    name    id'    i'(jii'sts    t'nini    ilie 

l!\eellli\e    (  '( 1 1  M  ni  i  I  I  ee,    Sllell    as    llie    t'(  d  h  i  w  i  11  U' : 

••i'.V      ihe      i'.XecllI  i\  f      (  "(illlinil  tee      Viill      a  I'e      I'e- 

(pL'^ied  ii'  colli  riliuie  tii  iiiir  caiii|iaiun  fnnd  !>  n 
dollars  \or  ilie  |nii-|i((se  of  ilie  peiidiim'  caii\ass 
of  I  he  Keadjusier  [lai'lV.  If  _\oII  will,  please 
rendi  this  ^\\\\\  liv  (heck  of  nioiiev  povial  order 
to  < '.  (  ".  <darke.  Ti-easiirer,  Uichniond.  \' iririni;!. 
and  \  oil  are  re(|nesie(|  so  to  do  on  or  Ixd'ore  the 
L'liih  id'  this  iiionih:  and  at  the  linie  id'  niakinu- 
iliis  ri-niiiiaiice   \on   will   please  noiifv    the  under 

si-lled     (.11     the     /,'/,/,■     O/     lliix     .sin  <   I. 

I  SiLl'lieij   I     ••    \\M.     M    \  111  i\  1  . 

"  (  dia  i  riiia  n." 


<!i-neial   Malioiie  u'eiiera  llv   kepi   him-. '1  f  Ill-hind 

the     vcl-,-,!!     ;|li(|     acled     ihroip^h     olher--,        Wi-llillLT 
to    lia\e     no    evidence--    of    hi-    (loillLls    ill     ihe    ha  lid- 

of  oihi-r-  he  wa-  careful  i.i  have  aii-wei-  in  his 
dciiiamls  wriiieii  "■on  tin-  hack  >  d'  ihi-  -leei." 
'idiai  Would  iii-nre  ihe  reiiirn  to  him  of  his  de 
mand    nii     the    |ia[iei-    -eiii     oiil,    and    |ire\ent     ils 

Ii(dllir    seen     li\      (  it  liel'S. 

1911 


200     Autobiography   of    John  IJ.    Massey 

When  I  was  at  Judge  Lybrook's,  in  Patrick 
County,  the  Judge  sliowed  nie  two  pledges  that 
had  been  sent  him.  lie  exjjressed  indignation 
at  receiving  theni,  and  was  about  to  throw 
tlieni  into  tlie  tire.  I  asked  him  to  give  tliem  to 
me  and  he  did  so.  1  have  them  yet.  They  are 
as  follows: 

"  Patrick  County,  Va.,  ISSl. 
'^  I  hereby  pledge  myself  to  stand  by  the  JJe- 
adjuster  party  and  platform,  and  to  go  into 
caucus  with  the  Keadjuster  mendjcrs  of  the  legis- 
lature, and  vote  for  all  measures,  nominees,  and 
candidates  to  be  elected  by  the  legislature  that 
meets  in  liichmond,  as  the  caucus  may  agree 
upon.  Given  under  my  hand  and  seal  this  —  day 
of  SeiJtember,  A.  D.  ^881." 

These  pledges  were  acc()m])Mnied  by  the  fol- 
lowing letter: 

"  U.  S.  Intei'nal  IJevenue  Collector's  Oflice, 
'■'  District,  Virginia. 
"Danville,   Sept.*  14,   1S81. 
"  Dkar    ,It'1k;k:      I    send    you    herewilh    two 
'  j»le(lges,'  to  sign  one,  and  have  the  ]tarty  nom- 
inee   for  your  county   sign    the   other   one,    and 
relui-n   to  me,  and    I   N\ill   forward   them  to  Cen- 
eral  ^lahone,  \\li()  directs  me  to  do  this. 

(Signed)      ''  I'kr.n'Ald." 

Thei'e  wei'e  one  hnndi'ed  and  foi'ty  nu'inlxM-s  of 
tlie  legislat  Ul'C.  lOiglity  of  these  wei-e  IJead- 
jnstei's  and  sixty  wei-e  I'nnders.  The  nnited 
vote  of  tlie  Ileadjnstei-s  conbl  j)ass  any  measure 
thev    w  islied.      I'ortv-one   meml)ers  of  the  "  can- 


Thr    Mahom     I'lnhjr 


LMll 


(US  "  could,  niidcr-  tin-  "  Mnlioiic  IMcdijc,"  Itiiid 
I  III'  ciirlilv.  So  tli;lt  if  fol'I\  line  Iiicliihci-s  \-o|(m1 
for  .-my  incasiift'  in  cniHiis,  iis  pilssaiXc  \\;is  iii- 
siircil  no  iiiiittci-  liow  oldioxious  it  iiiiixlit  he  to 
lilt'  other  ihifly-iiiiic  Kriid  jusin-s  ;md  tlif  sixty 
I'uiidci's.  Tims,  Irss  than  oiic-thifd  of  the  iihmii- 
hiTs  of  the  Ic^ishit  nic  roiihl  coiitfol  its  action 
in   all   iiiattci-s. 

These  nio\'eiiients  indicated  (ieiiei-al  Mahone's 
jiiifposes.  l)nt  the  most  asioundiiiLr  d(*\  (dojtineiits 
had  yet   to  Itc  made. 

"  Amefican  INilitics."  |mlilislied  hy  Thomas  X. 
('oopef.  cliaii'iiian  of  the  IJepnhlican  paiMy  of 
I'ennsyhania.  says,  on  pairc  'Jt;:i :  -•  In  tjie  Pfes- 
ideiitial   camjtaiL:!!  of   ISSO   the   Kead  jtistei-s  sup- 

pofled    (leliel-al    llailcock,    l»llt    oil    a    sej)afate    elec- 

tofal  ticket,  while  the  Ke|»uhl ica lis  snji|>orted 
(lai'tield  on  an  ideetoral  ticket  of  theii-  own  se- 
lection, 'i'llis  di\ision  was  ])iii-snanl  to  an  tindef- 
stan<linL^  ;ind  at  the  time  ihoiii^ht  advisable  hy 
.Mahoiie,  who,  if  his  (dectofs  won,  would  lto  foi* 
llamock  Of  not,  as  cii'ciimstances  nii;:ht  siiir- 
iresf,  while,  if  he  failed,  the  lJe|»nldica lis  mii:lil 
pfofit  liy  the  sepai'at  ion. 

"The  IJeadjiislef  mo\-ement  at  tifst  had  no 
other  than  local  desiLrns.  Imt  altont  the  time  of 
iU  oi-trani'/.at  ion  ihefe  was  a  ^.'■feat  desii-e  on  the 
jiaii  of  leadinu:  llejuihlicans  to  Iweak  the  solid 
South,  and  exefy  possible  expedient  to  that  end 
was  suLTLTi'sfed.  It  was  sidiil  for  the  Democratic 
pafty,  and,  standiuL:  thus,  could,  w  ith  the  aid  itf 
Xew"  "N'fu-k'.  Ifidiana.  and  \ew  .Jersey  (tlnui  all 
Democi'alic  States')  assure  the  electiiui  of  a 
I  )emocrat  ic  President ." 

Then,  .after  statiniT  that  on<>  of  the  f.avorite 
objects  of  President  Haves  was  to  break  the  solid 


LMll'      A  iilohidi/rd /ih  1/    of    Jdliii     /;.     Miiss(i/ 

Sontli;  ;in(l  liow  lie  tried  io  hi-cnk  il  l\v  coiicili- 
;il(»rv  spt'cclics.  mid  llicn  liv  piitliiii;-  .Mr.  Kcv  into 
tin-  «';iIhiicI;  ;in(l  li(;\\  lli;il  scliciiic  \\;is  ;i  ll;il 
f;iiliiic.  .Ml'.  ('(M>i)ci-  ;idds :  "  Tiic  next  nnd  most 
(|llicl  illld  ('tTcctll;ll  ciroPt  \\;is  llUldc  1)V  (icilrrjil 
Simon  (";imoroii.  .  .  .  Ilr  sijirtcd  on  ;i  brief 
Sonllici-ii  tour,  ostciisilily  I'oi-  lic.-iltli  ;ind  ciijov- 
mi'Ut,  l)ut  icallv  to  meet  (Jcnernl  Miilionc,  his 
Ic'idiiiLT  lu'inljusici-  fi-icnds,  ;ind  tlio  Icjidini;-  U'c- 
IMililic-ins.  ( 'onj'ci-cnccs  wci-c  held,  and  tlic 
union  of  tlic  two  forces  was  made  to  endtrace 
national  objects.  Tins  was  in  tlie  fall  of  lS7!t. 
Not  lonii"  lliereafler  (leneral  .Malione  consulted 
uilli  Senatoi-  ■] .  Don  ('ameron,  wlio  was,  of 
r(mi*se.  familiar  with  his  father's  moNcments.  and 
he  acii\('lv  de\ised  and  cari'ied  out  schemes  to 
aiil  the  new  cond)ination  liv  whi(di  the  s(did 
Sout  h   was  Io  be  lu'oken." 

A  part  of  the  .Mahone-I.  l)on  ('amei-on  sdieme 
is  1  hus  slated  bv  .M  r.  ( 'ooper  : 


'•In  the  uicat  Stale  campaiLin  of  issl  when 
llie  r>ourb(in  and  ant  i  I'.oiii-bon  candidates  for 
(!o\crnoi-  wi'i'i'  stumjiiim'  (he  Stale,  (leiieral  .Ma- 
hone  found  that  a  lai'uv  p(U-tion  id"  his  colore(l 
friends  were  handicapjied  bv  their  inabiliiy  to 
pay  ihc  taxes  imposed  upon  them  by  the  laws 
uf  \'irL:iiMa.  and  this  tlirealened  defeat.  lie 
souLi'ht    aid     from    ihi'    Xalimial    ad  mi  nisi  i-a  I  ion. 

■"  rri'sideiit  (larticld  faxurcd  the  combination 
as  did  Secri'lary  Windom.  Secretary  Idaine 
withheld   his  snppiirt    f^r  se\i'ral   months,  linally, 

hi.wi-\i-r.   aecedill!i'   Io    the    wishes  of   the    Tresideut 

a  lid    lie  isi    of   I  he   (  'abinei . 

■■.\d\crse  intluences  caiis<'d  the  alianilonmeiil 
of  a  st  raiuiitotit   Ke|tiiblieaii  mo\-ement.  orL:ani/.ed 


77/'      ]lali<Ht>     I'h'hi' 


L'(i;», 


liv  <  Mimioviii;!  II  .liii-^fiixpii  ;iii<l  iiilici-s.  iiinl  a 
Iiiu\  ciiiciil  wliiili  al  lln-  liiiH-  I  lil-i'ali-ip'i|  ;i  di.v 
a^i  !■(  iii^    (I  i\  isi(  III    w  as    <  >\  (•i-<i  uin'. 

■■  Tin-  la\  (|iic>iiini  |-i-iiia  i  iii-il.  ;iimI  llii'^  \\a> 
lir^i  iiii'l  l»v  Sciialoi-  .1.  I  >(iii  < 'a  iim-Imh.  wlm. 
wliih-  MliiiliM'l-iiiu  a  I  .Manila  I  la  II  l-l,iihi.  was 
ii'allv  (lail\  riiL:;iL;i-(|  in  New  \  nvU  ''ii,\  r.iisiim 
I'nndv  \'i>\-  .MjImiiii-  wiili  wliidi  \"  |ia\  ilicir  ia\i'^. 
Si  ill    ihi^    \\a^    insiitlirimi;   and    in    iIm'    ln-ai    >>{ 

ihr     Italllc     llli-      ri'\cnili'     ntVlcrl^      I  ll  li  illulhill  I       ilii- 

I'niitMl   Siaifv  wi-if  askcil   hi  imhi  lilmtc"" 


'I'lu'^c  >laii'Mii-n!  >  wmild    lir   i  iii-jimI  iMc   if  (li-n 
i-ral    Malniiir    had    iimI     |(ni\cil    iIkmi-    ci  in-i'ii  iic>-s 
liy    his   vmIi^im|  iiciil    cMiirsi'.       Nm   nin-    likcv    i   .    lind 

lli;il     he    |i;is    lici-ll    L:riiv>|\     di -i 'i -i  \  i  ■(  1    li\     lap'    III'    li;id 

I  ni>ird  ;   Inn    I    ;ini    i  liankriil    i  liai    I    w  ;is   Li-pi    iu' 

II  or;  in  I  I  if  iIm-sc  i  n -aril  ( -rill  Is  iii<i\  iMiii'n!>  ihai 
.M.iImiiM'  had  iiHi  L;iHid  an  (i|iiniiin  '>!'  mi\  inW'uri'> 
and    I  >ciiii  M-r;ir\    in  mntidr  >iicli   I  i-i-aclii-i-\    Im  ;iii'. 

A     ma  juiil  \     111'    I  he     iiifiiilii'i-^    i-h-.i  i-il     in     i  In- 
h'Lli-ial  ill-c     in     l^^l      Weill      Im     Kirhni'ilid     ph-d-v- 

1 nd.       'idi.'\     li;id    allnwi'd    <ii'licr:il     .\i;ili(iin-    In 

hick  hiv  ml  la  r  a  rniind  i  Indr  iirrkv  .ind  Imld  i  !i- 
ki-v.  Tlii'V  rniiihl  w  hi'ii  lhi-\  iiM'I  in  i-mnij--  lh;il 
nih"-  li;id  Ill-en  |ile|i;l  I  I'd  I'mi'  ihcir  -mn  . -rii  iin 'Ii  I  . 
Thi-i'   nih'.v   wi'If   h:iviil\     !-,.;id    li\    (d-Ii.    W  \;ill     M . 

I  d  lint  .    ;i  nd     I  lie     nii'MlIii-r--     Ii'i|  llr-Ied     I  '  '    -i'JII     I  heill. 

\m  Mill'  w;i-  i-\i'i'  nlJM'Ai-d  III  li;i\i'  ;i  ''iji^  "f  iIm-i' 
iiih--~.  and  liiii   fi'W    n  nder^i  I  Hill  ili'in.      I  ^:iw    iIm'Iii 

lill  !  I  illie,  '|d|i'\  W  1-1  I-  I  Im'II  held  Il\  I  lie  (  |i;i  i  |!!|;|  11 
lif  ihe  r;|l|(l|v,  uImi  ;||hiWed  lIM'  In  ^ee  IilM  ;i  [i.lll 
(if      I  I.elll   :      hi'Iir,'      I      1   ,1  n  Ih  a      ^J^'w  ,■     ;|       I'll  11      -I    I  I  I'M'ellt 

111"    iheiM,    1,111     1     ihink     I    ran    vi;ifi.   ,,,n-,M|!\    i||f 

illl|iiirl.  ll|iill'_;ll  Ilnl  ihe  la  IlLimiLIe,  111'  iheir  llMi^t 
s;i  lielll      [il'<l\  iv.i,il|S. 


201      A  iifhhiofini filii/    of    .John     /;.     ]f(isxrj/ 

Tlicse  rules  nssiixTK'd  lo  tlio  T'ospiM'tivo  ron- 
irrc^ssidiiJil  (listi-icjs  tlio  \;n'i()iis  oflircs  lli;it  ^^■('l'P 
to  ])('  fillod  l)_v  tlic  Ic^ijislndiT'c.  No  one  bnt  a 
ri(i/('i.i  of  the  district  could  be  noiniiiatcd  for 
any  ollicc  assiLjTicd  to  it.  Only  Ikcadjnstor  mcm- 
l)crs  fro)!!  the  (list rid  could  ])i'o])os(^  the  caiidi- 
daics  td  ])('  noiniiiatcd  for  ollicc  in  their  dis- 
trict. All  (dcrks  of  the  varions  ofKicos  were  to 
he  selected  and  apjtointed  by  (he  canciis.  All 
candidates  for  nonnnalion  wer(»  reqniiMMl  to 
\l'\\i'  a  written  ])ledij:e  (o  be  i2:o\-erned  by  these 
rnles. 

How  these  rnles  worked  :  Tlu^  ofTice  of  Super- 
intendent of  Pnldic  Instruction,  one  of  the  most 
inijtortant  oHices  to  be  filled,  was  assigned  to 
the  Sill  Tona-ressional  District.  There  were  but 
three  IJeadjnsters  in  the  leirislat nre  fi-om  that 
district.  One  of  the  three  was  nominated  l)y 
(he  two  others.  That  insnred  his  nomination  by 
the  canciis  and  election  by  the  leixislat  nre.  Tln^ 
man  thus  selected  poss(>ssed  LTood  <'.\'ecntive  abil- 
ity, bnt  \\as  (h'ficient  in  education  and  Axas  j)ro- 
fane. 

The  oflice  of  Auditor  of  Public  Accounts  was 
assiixned  to  my  district — the  Ttli.  This  was 
thonirht  to  insure  my  re-election;  bnt  \\as  a. 
plan  of  ^lahone's  to  blind  my  fi'iends  and  ulti- 
mately to  create  the  impression  that  T  decliiKMl 
re-elec(ion.  lie  knew  that  T  \\-onld  not  accej)t 
office  npon  the  conditions  ini])(>sed  by  the  cancns 
I'liles.  Tie  knew,  also,  that  if  the  Democi'atic 
lleadjnsters  understood  that  he  was  siM'kincr  to 
jirevent  my  re-election  they  would  revolt  airninst 
his  anIhoT'ity:  hence  he  had  planned  to  do  by 
indii-ection  and  deception  what  he  dared  not 
opeidy  avo\\'  his  ]»nrpos(^  to  do. 


77/'       \hlhn)i,      I'h'h/r 


l",).") 


Il  li;iil  liiM'ii  lilt'  iiiiit"(iriii  ciisioiii  uf  ilic  Ict^is- 
l;illirr  Id  rifcl  I  lie  Audiloi-  \i'r\  smiii  iifld'  ;is- 
sciiildiii:;.  r.iil  il  \\;is  |Mivi  ikiiiimI  fui-  almiit  two 
iiioiiilis.      W'lifii   llii'ir   pliins   urrc  comi)!!'!!-!!    ihc 

IlirliilM-rs    frdlll     tlic    Till    (li-M'icI,    lir.ldcil     liV     Ik'id- 

(|  N'lii'i'ui'i'.  \isii('{|  iiiv  (»IVk(' ;i  ikI  iiifnniicd  im-  ili;ii 

llir\      wcir    .llixiniis    In     Ilitiiiiniltc     II I  c     ("(if     ri't'lrr- 

tinii.    lull    lliiii     I    woulil    li;i\r    lo    <j;\\i-   a    wi-iilrii 

Jijcdi^c  lo  sulilllil  In  llir  r.lllrljS  IMllcS  licfdl'c  llicv 
cMlild  dii  so.  I  had  IPil  llicll  seen  llifX'  I'llli'S. 
and    I    asjscd    \'nv   a    ••'>i»y    nf    iIkmii.      I    was    i.ild 

I  (iiiild  si'c  ijii-iii  1)111  ciMild  imi  lia\('  a  iniiv. 
'riii'rtii[Miii    ilii'  cliaii-inaii   id'  ilic  caiiciis   alldwrd 

II  If  In  sfc  a  paii  (tf  lliciii,  lie  In  lid  i  II L!,'  iImmii  linnly 
wliili'    I    dill   s(i. 

Aficr  niKlcrsiaiidiiii:  tlifii'  iiniHU-i.  I  said  :  ••  1 1 
was  iiiy  wish  and  cxiM'cia  i  inn  Id  he  rr-clccicd. 
as  il  was  I  he  wish  and  ex  [icdal  imi  id'  llir  prnph' 
;L''i'ii<'rally  :  lull  I  wmild  snonci'  inakc  iiiv  li\inLr 
hy  i»Ii)w  ill!,''  a  siiinipx  new  uiniind  wiih  a  tin-v 
Imrsc  than  I  would  so  sacritiic  iii\'  self  rrspcct 
and  \io|air  tlir  law  as  lo  ar(i'[>i  otVuc  upon  siirh 
coiidit  ions  ! 

'riiisi:;i\"'  .Mahoiic's  minions  a  prctcxi  fm"  piih- 
lisliini:  ihal:  ".Mr.  .Masscy  dcidincd  lo  acrcpl 
till'    iioiiiinalioii    of    the    IJcad  jiistci*   raiinis."' 

I    did   di'iliiii'   il    ii|ioii    .Malioii.'"s   ii'iaiis. 

Till'     Iiiail      for     wllirll      I     had     ln-i'Il     rlnlrd     I'X- 

pircd  oil  ihc  lirsi  day  of  .Ianiiar\-.  Imt.  as  the 
I'h-ilioii  of  .\iidiior  had  Itmi  d-'fcrri'd.  I  run- 
tinned  in  otlii-r  until  MaiTli,  iindi'i-  ihr  law  ron- 
tinninu"  'In'  ini-iiinlH-nt  in  otVni'  nniil  his  siirrcs- 
soi'  was  I'h'cii'd  and  ipialilii'd. 

It  was  appari'iii  that  (i.'inTal  .Mahom'  wishi'd 
to  LTci  cniiri'  ronii'id  of  \'iiL:iiiia  hy  lia\iiiLr  in 
otlirr   those  only    who    would    iiiipliritly  and    iin- 


20(>     A  iit(/bio(jrapIti/    of    Joint    E.    Mas^vy 

(picsl  i()n;i])ly  olx'v  liis  ordcM's,  wiiicli  were  nsiially 
.t;"iv('n  as  i-csjx'ctful    "  i-cfpicsls." 

The  h'uislat  ivc  and  judicial  dcpai't  iiicuis  wci'c 
iiiaiTd.\'  fillcMl  hy  men  of  liis  own  selection,  and 
were  ix'i'Ceclly  sul)sei-\ien1  lo  liiiii,  hut  he  c(Mild 
not   control  the  executive  depart  nient. 

liis  fii-st  test  of  the  suhni issi Ncness  of  the 
Auditor  of  Pnldic  Accounts  was  to  assess  liini 
and  all  his  <dei-ks  ten  ])ei'  cent,  of  theii-  salaries 
and  to  '•  respectfully  ask  that  you  will  conti-ihute 
these  sums  to  our  ram])aiij:u   I'und." 

('<d.  V.  (J.  liunin  was  a  <derk  in  the  Treasui-er's 
oHice,  and  we  confei'i-e*!  ahout  it.  The  result  of 
our  confei-ence  ^\•as  that  we  "  resjx'ct  fully  de- 
clined  to  be  assess(Nl." 

(lenei'al  Mahone's  next  tesi  of  the  Auditor's 
suhmissi\-eness  to  his  ordei-s,  suuai'-eoated  as 
"  re(piests,"'  ^\•as  in  connection  wiili  the  appoiid- 
ment    of  collectors  of  dcliinpuMd    faxes. 

'Idle  law  made  it  the  duty  of  the  .\uditor  (»f 
I'uhlic  .\ccouTds  to  a)»|>oint  cojh'ctors  of  pei-sonal 
]n'operty  and  cajtitafion  taxes,  relurned  "(hdin- 
<pient  "  within  sixty  days,  or  as  soon  ihei'cafler 
as  jii'act  icahle.  aftei'  i-ecei\inL:;  them,  'i'his  delay 
of  sixty  <hi.\'s  was  to  i:'i\e  tlie  Auditor  time  to 
lia\'e  these  lists  exaudned,  coT-rect(Ml.  an<l  ci-ed- 
ited  to  the  treasui'ers  that  i-eturned  them.  Tn- 
til  this  was  done  no  one  had  the  riuid  to  collect 
tliese  taxes.  I  comjdied  strictly  with  both  the 
h'ttei'  and   the  sjiiril    of   this  law. 

r,en(>i"al  .Mahone  "respectfully  reipiestcd  '"  me 
lo  siirn  and  issue  lax  receipts.  ldatd<  as  lo  ijie 
name  of  the  tax-fiayer.  and  to  take  all  that  miirht 
he  T'eturncd  after  the  election.  I  "■  l-es[)('cl  fully  '" 
hut  jiosili\('ly  de(dined  to  do  tliis.  I  h<'ld  that 
the  capitation   tax  of  any  one  that    had   been   re- 


IIk    Malii'iK     ri(  (!(/(' 


L'Oi 


fill'Iifd  del  iii(|llcllt  couM  hi-  |i;ii(i  \)\  himself,  <ir 
.•lliy  (ilir  cIm-,  Ii»  llir  A  IH  I  i  I  i  >p.  \\]<  |;i\  (•(  il  lee!  (iT,  OP 
llir    <lrl-k     of    the    rollIIIV    (iT     lilV.    Idll     tli;lt     IK)     M'- 

ci'ipf  (-(Hilil  ^ru  from  my  oITmc  uiiiil  uiic  (litll;ii' 
;iiii|  ti\c  (Tills  Ii;i(l  Ihcii  p.iid  I'ny  ii.  Mini  lli;il  lio 
n'li'ijii  iliiit  wi-in  from  ii  (diijd  i-vi'V  lie  rdiirni'd 
lo   it. 

<  Iciicr.il  .M;ili<»iM',  liiidini:  lie  could  noi  control 
my  onicc  ujiilc  I  \\;is  ;it  its  held.  ;ilid  IsliowiiiLT 
he  could  uoi  ]U'r\fiit  my  ri'-ch-ct  iiui  hy  ojicii 
;ind   muuly  o|i|iosiijou  to  it.  m.-ulc  my  reelection 

dc|.rIldcUl      U|hUI      teriUS     :\]\i\     coUililioIis     thill      lie 

km-w  I  woidd  not  c(Uisciit  to.  ;iml  thus  ui\e 
id.-iusiliility   Id   tli<'   (d;iim    thiil    •".Mr.    M;i>M-y   de- 

cjilii'd    IioliiilKlt  i(Ul    \'ny    re-elccl  ion.*" 

I.oiiij:  liid'ofe  it  \\;is  i:"cner;ill\  known  ih;ii  .M;i- 
Ihuic  li;id  determined  tluit  1  shouhl  he  defeUled 
he   li;id    (ound   ;i    m;iii   ;is   \\  ell   suited    to   his   pur- 

|Mivc    ;is     if    he    li;id     lieeil     lunde    eXpfosly     fof     it. 

<  )nc  indi>iM-ii^;dde  re(|uisite  fiu-  otiices  which 
.Muluuic  lilh'il  or  ciuitfoHcd  was  jtcrfcct  suh^cr 
\  icticc  to  him.  llis  followers  Ii;id  to  put  tle-ir 
coii^cimice  in  \\]<  kci'|iinu'  ;iiid  >;iy.  '■  l.c;id  lui, 
.M;i^ifr.    I    will    follow    \  on  !  "" 

r.i'fol-c  rclii-iim'  from  ojlice  j  I-e(|ne-<tcd  the 
h''_;i>^|;i  I  Ufc  to  ;ili|iont  ;i  committee  to  e\;imille 
thi'  Kom!,^  ;ind  husim-vv  ,,f  tie-  ollice.  Tlcir  re- 
[iMlM     w:iv    \ci\     c(  Uii  |d  iliM-nt  ;i  ry. 

(Ml  llii'  thh  of  |"chru;ir\  .  I^'^-J.  I  plllili^le'd  the 
follow  in-: 


••  'j'o   I  li,.   I'.diior  of  ilie  liisjintrj, : 

••  \  ii'j.iin  :i--k  till'  iu-i\ilcL;c  of  v|H-;ikiiej;  ihroiiudi 
y<iur  (•,i|)niin<  with  tlic  ho[M-  of  rfuch  iiiL,^  sonic 
of   m\     i;.;id  iu^ii'f   friiinU. 

"The    Wlmi  is   hihorini:  /.c;iloiivl\    to   m;ike  its 


20S      A  )ifohin(/rnji1n/    of    JoIdi    h\    Md^^cij 

i'(';i(l(M's  Ix'licvc  that  I  and  lliosc  who  a))]ti'()V('  my 
{•((sitioTi  ha\('  left  the  IJcadjnstcr  jiarly.  If  tliat 
be  ti'iic  the  ]>ai-ty  has  h)si  foni-fil'i  lis  of  its  niiiii- 
bci's  and  iiiTic-tciitlis  of  its  iiitcdh'ctual  and  moral 
|>o\\('r.  I  have  not  the  sliii-Iitcsi  (h)uht  that  at, 
least  those  ])i'o])ort  ions  of  the  party  hclicNc  my 
course  to  W  riuht.  .Many  of  the  lirst  and  trn.'st 
members  of  the  leii'isla!  lire  1((dio\('  the  *cancns 
rule"  wronir.  They  wish  it  had  ncNcr  liocn  ai^rced 
to.  Their  oidy  trotdde  is  that,  liavimj^  om-e 
au^ref'd  to  that  wronu",  they  af'  in  some  way 
bound  to  ])ersist  in  it.  They  fear  that  to  recede 
from  tlieir  wronij  position  and  take  a  riiiht  one 
will  eudan.ii:er  the  ])arty.  They  admit  the  ]>rin- 
riple  T  am  cotitendnir  for  is  riu'ht^  .^et  insist  T 
must  recede  from  it  to  save  the  ]»arty.  The  ar- 
irument  amounts  to  this.  '  Tf  the  cancns  chan<j:es 
from  wronix  to  riu'ht  it  will  destroy  the  IJead- 
jitster  ]»arty;  btit  if  T  will  clmnu'e  from  riuht  to 
wroiiLT  it  will  sa\-e  it.'  Xo  ])arty  on;^"ht  to  liv(% 
and  none  c(Mild  lonu'  snr\ivo.  whose  lif.'  dejietided 
n])on  adherence  to  snch  nnreasonable  nnd  nn- 
ImsiTiessdike  rules — so  radically  wrotiir  in  theory 
and  so  dami'erous  in  ju-actice.  The  Ifeadjuster 
part\'  stands  on  Lrround  too  Urm  lo  Ite  thus  easily 
o\"erturtied  or  destroyeil  by  the  unwise  i-ulini:: 
of  a  few  of  its  mend)ers,  dictated  to  them  by  a 
pseudo  leader.  The  throiie — the  caucus  nnil  the 
unseen  hand  which  coipi'ols  it  -may  and  will 
ioltel-;  but  the  people  the  pf)Wer  behind  the 
throne  -will  plant  themseh cs  still  more  fii-ndy 
u|Min  the  pi-inciples  which  hold  them  to'^-et  lie]-. 
Tic  spii'it  (if  libei'ty  ami  liberalism  was  not  Inuai 
to  die  so  so(Ui  oi-  so  iLi'iioininiously.  The  K'ead- 
Jiisier  parly  ne\'er  ini.-iu'ined  that  libci-alisni 
tne.inl   absolute  laile  for  (leiieral  Mahone  and  his 


riir     Mdhnnr     Plnhir 


209 


iiiinidiis  and  coiiiplch'  \assalai:t'  fur  cvcrylxuly 
t'lsc.  'IMicy  never  su|»posctl  the  lianner  (tf  lih- 
•  •ralisiii  was  Iiein;^^  used  as  a  liliml  l(»  eiialile  de- 
siuiiiii.:::  men  lo  rolt  ilit-iii  of  ilieir  dieiaslieil 
iiulii>.  ihrir  inde|iendriiic,  and  llieir  inanli(M)d, 
iliai  iIh'V  luiulil  seenn-  for  i  liciiis(d\  fs  ihe  ii;i-ali- 
!i(aii(in  (if  ilieir  \aiillin^  anduiinii;  and  w  lu-n 
ilii'V  fnlly  realize  iln'  fad  that  snrli  has  hi-en 
ihr  rase  thfir  intliiiiiai  iitn  will  he  deep,  hmd, 
and  la^iiiiL:'. 

"  Tlie  11/////.  its  owner,  and  his  minions  ha\t' 
aliandoiii'd  ihc  fnndanicntal  jninciph-s  of  the 
Ivfiidiwslcr  party.  .My  friends  and  I  stand  lit  inly 
liy  them.  Those  who  are  more  solieitons  Un' 
soft  pla;  es  for  themsehcs  and  their  friends  than 
they  are  for  the  welfare  n\'  the  party  ami  tlie 
Si.iie  iii.iy  f(dlow  the  dispensers  of  patron  aire 
and  •  heiid  the  snpple  hi  Hues  of  the  knee  thai 
thrill  may  follow  fawinnu,"  hut  fonrlifths  of 
the  party  will  refnse  to  sell  ihemsehi's  for  i:ain. 
a  ml   will  stand  tot  heir  in-imiples." 


rilAPTEIt  XIX 

Tin:  VAC.  roll: 

'J'lii;  Kcadjustcrs  ]i;i(l  a  iiiajoi'ity  of  fourteen 
in  the  Jlouse  of  J)ele<2,-ates.  and  of  six  in  the 
Senate.  This  was  tlie  case  when  tlie  h\unsla- 
inre  convened  in  iSSi*.  ]\y  tlieir  coinhined  vote 
thev  conUl  pass  any  nieasni'e  tliey  wished,  or 
that  General  ^Mahone  dictated  thron,i;ii  his 
cancns. 

IJefoi-e  I  l)(M-anie  aware  of  (icneral  Malione's 
desii^-ns  T  ad\ised  lliat  no  one  slionhl  he  ap- 
])ointed  or  eh'cted  to  any  otiice  \\ho  N\as  not 
cajtable  and  woi-tliy;  tliat  l)nt  few  laws  shonld 
he  ])assed,  or  amended;  that  theic  shonld  be 
manifest  necessity  for  e^•ery  chanii'e  made  in  the 
hn\"s  then  in  force,  or  foi'  new  ones  enacted;  that 
li'oN'erniiKMit  expenses  should,  so  fai'  as  jxissihle, 
he  reduced.  I  said  if  \\('  took  tliis  course  the 
]»eoj»le  of  A'iruiina  wouhl  see  tliat  our  object 
was  to  promote  the  best  iu1<'rests  of  tlie  State, 
to  reli<'ve  her  of  the  misi-ule  we  had  comjdained 
of,  and  not  jiei'sonal  au'uiMudi/ement.  'I'his 
coui'se  I  said  would  be  best  for  all  ]iai'ties  and 
I'eiider  h'eadjusier  admiuist  i-at  ion  jiei'iiianent. 
]'>}  way  of  enfoi'ciiii;  these  suui:"est  ious  I  said  if 
a  fai-iiier  whose  manau'ei'  bi-iui^-s  him  in  debt 
$1000  annually  exchanu'es  him  for  one  that  ]uits 
SnXK)  into  Ills  ]>ocket  annually,  he  will  ne\cr 
dischar.u'e  the  new  and   i-ejtlace  the  old   manau'ei*. 

I'.ut  I  soon  found  tliat  the  chief  I'iMpiisite 
for  oflice  was  conijilete  subservience  to  (Jenei'al 
Mahone.      It  became  very  a])iiarent   that  (leneral 

210 


'I'lir     liii/     I'oiir 


I'll 


Miilioiic  was  st'ckiii^  to  i^ct  \'iri;inia  coinplt'tt'ly 
Uinlrl'   his  colli  i-(»l. 

llr  had  hills  jdcjiarcd  ami  jtasscd  hy  his  cau- 
cus, which,  if  they  had  hccoiiif  laws,  would  have 
made  him  ]ici-tVci  masicr  of  \' iruiuia's  dcstiuy. 
lie  h'l'i  his  place  ill  ihc  I'uitcd  Slates  Scuale  and 
wcui  lo  Kichiiiond  lo  ha\('  ihcsc  hills  jtasscd, 
and  remained  ihere  nearly  the  wlede  time  the 
legislature   was   in   session. 

There  were  f(Mir  Si-nators  w  ho  were  not  jtled^c- 
hound  to  .Malioiu'.  They  were  Samuel  11.  Ncw- 
Iteriy  of  llland.  Teyton  (i.  llale  of  (Irayson.  A. 
.M.  i.yhrook  of  I'atrick,  and  !*..  \\  Williams  of 
Not  Imw  ay   <  "ounty. 

Senators  Ni'wiierry  ami  Male  were  |)emo- 
ciats.  Senators  Lyhrook  and  Williams  were  IJe- 
|iul»licans.  All  of  them  were  my  |»ers(Uial 
fiieuils.  It  wduld  lie  ditlicult  to  lind  four  other 
men  who  were  nnu'c  uidike,  or  who  had  less  in 
cnmmoii.  than   these   f<iur. 

.\fier  I  talke(l  o\ci'  the  situation  with  them 
imli\idually.  they  comairred  in  the  opinion  that 
the  passaiie  of  .\ialione"s  measures  would  he  dam- 
auiiiLT  til  the  State  and  to  her  citizens;  and  they 
promised    to    CO  (ijierate    with    me    in    ]ire\cnt  ini^ 

I  he    pa^sau'e    (if    t  hose    I    oppi  ived. 

r.\  NdiiiiLj,'  with  the  a  lit  i  M  alioiiei  tes  of  the 
Senate  these  fdiir  CI  mid  defeat  anv  hi  1 1  hy  a 
majoriiv  nf  one.  These  men  hecame  so  conspicu- 
Mii'-.    and    their    \iites    were    so    impiu'tant.    that 

lll<-y     Wele    lelMlied    •*Tlie     1',  i  iT    I'oUr." 

.M0-.1  \iL:-oi'ous  and  pervisient  elVorts  were 
made  I IV  Ma  III  me  and  his  a^'eiits  to  hreak  this 
couiliina  I  ion.  That  I  was  ahle  to  hold  them  lo- 
LTcthei-  aLiainst  the  means  nsed  to  draw  theni 
froni    nie  seems,   as    I    recall    it.   one  (tf   the   moit 


212     AHinh\(,<jr(ip}iii    of    John    K.    J/a.vx// 

w  (Midci-t'iil  ;nlii('\  ciiu'iits  of  my  lifi'.  i  was  iu 
daily  di'cad  for  six  weeks  tliat  all  of  lliein  could 
not  resist  the  pressure  they  had  lo  hear.  They 
and  I  \\ere  shadowed  or  followed  evei'vwhere  we 
\\('nt  ;  and  every  man  that  was  seen  in  conversa- 
tion with  any  of  us  was  soon   interviewed. 

A  s])y  \\as  ke|)t  in  a  room  o|)j)osile  mine  in 
the  liotel  in  wliich  1  boardi'd  to  report  every 
man  that  came  to  see  me;  and  1  did  not,  I  am 
sure,  avera,u'e  moi-e  than  four  honrs"  sleej)  iu 
fonr-and-t wenty  for  six  weeks.  Yet  the  whole 
"  r>i^  I'^oui*""  stood  tirmly  by  me  through  all 
those  dark  days-  among  the  darkest  I  ever  ex- 
j»erienced.  1  have  been  eulogized  for  having 
sa\('d  the  State  from  degradation  an<l  rnin  ;  bnt 
I  could  not  have  done  it  but  for  the  co-o])eratioTi 
of  tlie  uol)le  "  I)ig  l''onr.""  l^ach  of  them  <le- 
scr\cs  to  ha\('  a  moniimciil  erected  to  his 
memory. 

.\  lady  who  boa.i'ded  at  tlu'  same  hot(d  that 
I  did,  aud  whose  husband  occn]ti('(I  a  high  ])o- 
sition  in  the  .Mahone  camj),  rendered  me  valuable 
assistance  l)y  keejting  me  informed  of  the  ])lans 
and  moxcmcnls  of  Mahone  and  his  ]»ai-ty.  We 
sat  lit  tlie  talile  together,  and  she  wotild  talk 
to  me  while  I  was  eiiting.  I'inding  that  we  were 
cliisely  watched,  I  reijiiested  her  not  to  talk  to 
///'■.  liiit  to  inform  the  wife  of  a  friend  of  mim^ 
nf  nil  she  wished  me  to  know,  ti»  let  that  lady 
tell  her  Inisbjind  and  t(t  let  him  tell  me.  I'.y 
this   means    1    w;is  kept    well    jiosted. 

A  little  (biiighter  of  this  huly  siiid  to  me, 
''.Mr.  .Miissey,  folks  don't  do  nothing  lint  talk 
ji'miiii    yon." 

•'  Wlial     do    tliev    say,    my    little    dai-ling?"    I 

;isked. 


77/f     />/'/    Four 


'1\\\ 


"  'I'lit'  iiifiis  say  'old  Md.s.sti/,'  and  the  woineiis 
say  •  jtour  Massey." 

The  (laiiia^c  lo  llic  Stale  .llial  Mahoiif's  oh- 
iioxiiMis  iiirasurcs  would  dd  alariiifd  all  who 
uinlcrsiddd  their  charactrr  and  design;  and  1 
was  nru'ed  to  waleh  and  to  ])i-e\('nt  ihcir  i>assaL:;t'. 
1  ha\f  nu\\  htd'orr  nic  Iftit-rs  from  three  N'iri^inia 
( 'on;4'i-essnien  solicit  in.^  nie  to  do  so. 

Ilonoi'able  (ieofj^e  1).  Wise  wrote  ine  April 
r.,  1>SJ: 


"In  consulting;  with  \ai-ious  ^enih-nieii  (  lle- 
adjustei-s  an<l  oihei-si  we  all  came  to  the  con- 
clusion that  you  could  defeat  a  }j;i-eat  deal  of 
ol>no.\ioi!s   le^^islal  ion. 

"  ^'llu  ai'e  aware  that  it  is  the  pui'itose  of  (len- 
ei'al  .Malione  to  make  himself  the  master  of  the 
situation,  and  then  to  rule  with  an  ii'oii  fule. 
II  is  contiMl  of  the  ])at  i-oiui,ue  de|tends  upon  his 
ahiliiy  to  hiinl  us  hand  ainl  fool,  and  lian<l  us 
<i\fi"  to  ilie  Kepuhjii  an  paiiy.  Thai  is  a  pail 
itf  his  i:ame,  as  you  undei'siand  as  well  as  I  do. 
We  ha\c  uidia|)i)ily  heeii  dixiiled  (ui  local  issiU'S, 
hut  tliei'e  are  siauuch,  linn  Ueailjuster  l)emo- 
crals  who  do  not  want,  I  feel  sure,  lo  make 
\'iri:inia  lle|Mihl  icaii.  I  feel  c(Uilidenl  that  j/ou 
are  oue  of  ihal  numhei',  ami  you  can  <lo  more 
lli;in  any  oihei-  man  tit  accomplish  the  defeat  of 
Maiiolie's  schemes.  Tlie  issiH'S  which  di\ided 
us  ha\f  lieeii  sciiIimI.  and  ilie\-  will  mu  irouhje 
us  :iL:;iiu.  I  was  ri'ipM-sieil  lo  Iia\i-  \ou  si'tui.  and 
uriie  upou  you  ih,.  ;:reai  imporlame  of  your 
iHiuLT  in  Ilichmiuid.  ^'ou  can  ileicrmiiie  how 
far  \  ou  ca  n  ir'>  lo  accom]di^Ii  I  lie  desjred  re^nlis. 

I     I'eLjai'd     lllis    the    clisis.        I     ^^HNr     \oU     the    assUf- 

amc  thai  you  will   not   he  ojijinsed   in  uuir  \  lews 


214     A  ul('h'i(j(fnt/)]ii/    of    JoJni    JJ.    Masscy 

MS  lo  Kcadjiistment,  and  tliat  your  wislies  will 
be  <<tiisiilt('(l  ill  all  that  shall  be  done.  1  would 
ndi  ask  yon  lo  do  anytliing  ai:;ainst  yonr  con- 
vici  ions. 

••  Divisions  on  local  issues  oui^ht  to  be  aban- 
(huicd.  and  Conservative  Deinoerats  ou_i:;ht  to 
be  reunited.  Von  ean  do  more  in  tluit  direction 
than  any  other  man  within  luu*  l)ordei's. 

"  1  ha\"e  read  tlie  report  of  your  speecli  in 
( "hai'lol  tesville,  in  which  you  said  that  you  were 
a  Keadjuster,  but  that  yon  wer(^  a  \'ir<j^inian  and 
a  Demociat  before  you  became  a  Keadjuster,  1 
I)elie\('  you  can  do  more  foi'  \'iri^inia  than  any 
othei'  son,  and  you  may  rest  assured  that  warm 
licai'ls  and   true  friends  will  i-allv  around  von." 


Ilonoiabjc  Jojin  S.  ]5ai-])our  wrote  me  on  the 
same  day,  Api'il  5,  18S2 : 

''  I  have  lieen  siiown  a  letter  addi-essed  to  you 
by  Honorable  (Jeor,ii:e  1).  Wise,  and  desii-e  to 
add  my  solicitation  to  his  that  you  ])T'even(,  if 
|M)ssibh\  the  wild  |{\L:;is]at  ion  whicli  has  been 
initiated;  and  which  I  regard  as  \-ery  injni-ious 
to  tlie  State  fi-om  every  statid])oint. 

'•  I  Iia\('  not  much  time  to  write  as  the  ti'ain 
is  ab(»ut  to  lea\-e.  I  said  to  Wise  that  you  were 
doinLT  foi-  \'ii-L!,inia  what  ik*  other  man  could  do; 
that  you  wei'e  not  in  oflice  now;  and  tliat  your 
expenses  oni:;ht  to  be  boiaie  l)y  othei's;  ami  (hat 
I  would  ask-  yon  to  allow  me  to  ])i'o\ide  these 
]»ers(uially,   which    1  hojie  yon    will   do." 

I   i'e|)lied  to  these  letters  ; 

"  If  circumstances  have  placed  me  in  position 


'///'■   /.'/'/   I'oiir 


to  <l(t  fni-  \'iri!;ini;i,  ;is  you  s;iy.  what  no  otlin- 
man  can  do,  1  am  amply  rrwanlccl  l»y  the  coii- 
\i(ii<in  ihal  I  am  [n'l-foriiiiiiLT  a  saci-cd  <luly  li» 
iii\  Siair  ami  lo  m>  tVlldu  rii  i/cns.  1  apiirrfialr 
ymii-  kind  offci-,  and  _\(>ui'  lla  I  iniiiL:-  (i|iiniiin  of 
m_\  vcr\  iics.  Imi  y<>n  mnsi  allow  me  niM>i  rivvjHTi- 
fully  lo  dcclini'  youi-  oIlVi-  in  ju'oNidc  d^v  my 
rxiH'ii^cs.  To  allow  lliis  wdiild  Li'n-aily  Icssm 
ilii'  [di';!sni'c  I  fiM'l  in  scr\ini:"  my  Siaio  frnm  a 
srnx'  of  duly,  wiiliout  any  f.\|ic(iai  ion  of  fi-c 
or   rowai'd." 


rn AFTER    XX 

maiioxk's  ("Arcrs  mkasikks 

I  AM  not  able  to  rocall  all  tlie  l>ills  tliat  wci-c 
a.ii'ivt'd  to  iu  caucus,  oi*  tlicii*  consecutive  oi'der. 

The  followiii*;"  are  some  of  them:  iJills  to  ro- 
move  the  JJoard  of  Visitors  of  the  rniversity  of 
\'iri;iuia;  of  the  Virj^inia  .Military  lustitule;  of 
the  Medical  (Jolh-.u'e;  of  the  Jiistitutiou  for  the 
Deaf,  J)uml),  and  lilind;  of  lilacksbur.u-  A.uricul- 
tui-al  and  ^lechanical  Colleu'e;  of  all  the  Luua- 
tic  Asylums;  of  all  county  and  city  School  Su- 
])erinteudents;  of  all  School  Ti'UstiH's;  of  all 
Notaries  Public;  of  iill  Commissioners  in  ('liaii- 
cci-y.  The  ]t]aces  to  he  thus  made  xacaut  were 
to  be  tilled  by  .Mahoneites. 

Mahoneite  county  judi^'cs  had  been  elected. 
Some  of  thi^se  were  u'ood  and  woiMliy  men,  and 
fair  jnd.u'es;  othei's  were  both  incomjx'ient  and 
unworthy. 

The  ,iu(],u"e  in  one  connty  was  a  notoi-ious  u'am- 
]»ler,  who,  it  was  alleu'ed,  had  some  kind  of  con- 
ti'i\ance.  caJIcil  a  "  lizai-d."  conceah-d  in  his 
(dollies,  conlaininu"  a  jtaek  of  cai-ds.  from  wliicdi 
he  conhl  draw  while  ])layinu:.  This  "  Li/ard 
dudu'e,'"  as  he  was  u'cncT-ally  calbM],  was  indi(te<l 
b\-  the  i^i-and  jui'y  of  his  own  cimrl  for  uam- 
biiiiLTat  an  oi'dinary.  The  law  imposes  a  tine  of 
•**^.">(t  ni»on  any  ]iei-son  eon\icte«|  of  u';nnbliim  "al 
any  oi-dinary,  i"icedi(dd.  oi*  other  |mblie  jdace." 
This  jndi:"e  'j;()i  am)lhei'  judu'e  to  jiicside  at  his 
trial,  who  ruled  Ihat  the  indictment  only  (diar^ed 

21  <i 


Mdhintv'.s    ('iiiicii>:    M(  (isiii<s  L' 1  7 

wiili  LMiiiltliiiLr  Ji(  nil  "ordinary.'*  and  tliat  tlir 
law  said  "an  ordiiiafv  lacf  lidd."  that  llic  iii- 
dicliiM-iil  was  I  lici-cCiii'c  faiiliy  and  inusi  lie  dis- 
ni  isvcd  ! 

(MImm'  .Malidiic  cantns  nirastircs  were  a  hill  lo 
i-cai'i'anut'  llit-  jndifial  rirciiiis  so  a^  in  li-ui-laic 
all  lii'ciiii  jndi:cs  oiii  id'  (dlicr,  and  a  lull  in  rc- 
di.virici  I  he  Si  a  It'  for  I  lie  (d  it  I  ion  of  ( 'onirrrss- 
nicn.  Till'  jndu'i'S*  plarrs  wen-  lo  he  lilli'd  li_\  sr- 
liTiioiis,  (if   ill,,  caui-ns. 

Till'  Ivirjiiiiond  \17//'/  of  A|>ril  10.  1  ssi*.  am  iri- 
paiiii:^^  ilii'  |tassaL:i'  of  ilic  hill  lo  n-disMari  the 
Siair     for    llir    clcciion    of    ( 'onLTn'ssint'ii.    said: 


"'idle    hill     to    l-rapltol't  ion     tile    Slatr    fol"    lili'Ill- 

lii'is  of  ( 'oni:i-f'ss  passi-d  ilio  llonso  of  I  )i'lrL:aii'>^ 
on  Sanirdayhx  a  \i'i-y  doridrd  noIc  — on n-y  IJrad- 
jnsici'  ini-^mt  \oiinL!.'  for  ii.  It  is  a  jtarly  niras- 
nrc  a  sii-i<ily  pai'iy  nirasni'r  and  as  no  lloni'- 
hon  \(iifd  f(ir  it,  so  no  lu-ad Jiisicr  \-oii'd  auMin^' 
it.  'rill'  ohjiTis  ainird  at  afr  IarL:i'i'.  dfrpi'i', 
hriiadn-  than  any  afisiuLT  ffoin  si-ctional  and  pcf- 
soiial  coiisidiTai  ions  tin'  main  jnii-posi'  hcinu'' 
to  nsf  ihc  ocrasion  to  ;_^i\('  the  fiilh'vi  cn'rit  to 
our  a\ailahh'   si  i-cnu'l  li    in    si'h'rtinLT   niciidx'rs   of 

(  'oIlLTrcvS. 

"  W'r    a\  (iw    t  his    fraidxly. 

"  \\  hat  i^  the  rrsnlt  of  ihis  srhi-nii'  of  ap|»or- 
I  ioniiidd '.'  It  assures  the  rlcrtioii  next  N'oxendii'i* 
(if  i'ii;!il  ml  III  iii'i  si  rn  t  II  III  un  in  h'  /'>:  nf  ( 'i  iii'ir' ■■<<. 
and    allows    the    Ihuirhon  I'nndrrs    lo    rlcct     two 

niiMidicrs     /"//     I  ijijii  isil  h  ni       In      tin       (1 1 1  in  i  II I  ^-f  ra  1 1  nn  . 

We  ri-rei  that  iln-  Ihuirhou  I'muhrv  arr  ah 
low.'d  ^o  iiian\  uinhr  ilir  plan;  hut  it  is  iIm'  hi-st 
thai    ran    he   done,   and    wr   arr   ronicui. 

"Alrradv   wi'   liaNc  at    W'ashinu^ton   two   Sma- 


IMS     Aiifohionniphi/    of    Jolni    E.    Mussci/ 

tors  and  iwo  lioproscntntivps  wlio  stand  firmly 
and  cordially  by  IM-esidcnt  Artlinr;  and  nndcr 
rhis  bill,  if  it  i)ass  the  Senate,  onr  lilxM'al  forces 
^\  ill  send  to  Wasliinu'ton  i^i.r  )nor('  sn])|)orters  of 
Die  l-'ederal  administration  than  we  now  have. 
To  intrench  and  further  it  the  present  appor- 
tionment bill  is  avowedly  framed — /o  rjrrt  cifflit 
('())}(/r(-'<.'^i)i(l)  out  of  ten  who  shall  be  comniH h  tj 
(111(1  ])J<  (!(/<(?  ((J  siifiiiort  I*rrsi(]()it  Arllnir  dixl 
h  is-  (1(1  )n  in  /-s^/  mi  ion  r 

This  same  j^aper.  General  ^NFahone's  month- 
piece,  had  said  but  a  short  time  before: 

"We  insist  that  General  Mahone,  John  E. 
]\rassey,  Col.  Fnlkerson,  (Jeneral  Elliot,  and 
others  are  to-day,  indi'ed,  always  have  been,  as 
ijood  and  true  Democrats  as  General  Ilnnton, 
General  lleale.  Senator  Johnslon  (I  id  (judic 
f/cnns.  The  ]»eo]de  of  Viriz'inia  nndei-siand  this, 
and  some  of  onr  re])resentat  i^es  in  Gon,u:ress 
will  be  tanu'ht  the  h^sson  ei-e  lonir,  when  the  Old 
Dominion  will  send  a  delepition  to  Washinu'toii 
— not  I'^unders,  bnt  ti'ue  GonstM'val  ive  Keadjus- 
ters — as  firm  Democrats  as  can  be  found  in  the 
State  or  out  of  it." 

Anollier  caucus  measure  was  a  bill  to  ci'eate 
tlie  oHice  of  ( "ommissionei'  of  Sales.  A  Coimuis- 
sionei'  of  Sales  \\'as  to  be  appointed  in  each 
county  and  city  of  the  State  who  sjiould  lia\('  ex- 
clnsi\-e  riuld  1'>  sell  all  jirojx'ny  sold  under  ju- 
dicial in'oceediuLXs.  Parties  liliuant,  e\-en  in 
friendly  suits,  could  not  choose  tlieii'  own  com- 
missioners.    Selections  f(»i'  these  otlices  had.  been 


M'!h'"-  -^    ' 


1't 


iiui'l'-  in  inaiiv  •■..iiniirs  im.!  .■:!:•■>  'ii 
"f  :]."  {..iNsai:.-  ..f  ihi-  Lill.     M;i;iv  -f 

l.;i\t*    Iiia-lf    H'mhI    r.-.fi\  .-i-v.    }.;;•    ■;,       ' 
Tl..-;r    .-ni.-.-s    WMiil.j    ].;iv,-    !,.-.■!. 
Na'iiralh-   Th-^t-   i:;'-ii   !►••,  a:;:--   ':• 
n.:.-s  Mf  i'hM>.-  That  .l.-f.-a'--.l  ;!..•  : 

Aii"r!i»-r  can'-iiv   :!:--a>ni'-   \\,i-  .1   S 
!>li   an    i'l!!'-;al    ii-'W-j-aii.-r    lu   .-a.  1: 
.■■•y  ..f  '].••  S'a''-.  a:i-i   '■<  V'-ri':--  ;." 

T'r.-v.   ^a!'-<.   ah'l   ]'!• liri::^.   !■•-':•::!• 

Tigris,  in  Tla-ir  r---j"-.-T  iv--  >■..!::;•;•■-  -: 
1..-  jiv-n  Tl,.-:::  f..r  J.ll^:i.  a-i-n.  T:.- 
.--aMMi.-.l  a  -ir-i.liz'.l  M:i'  ■-:••  ■, 
r  .'iiuy  aii'l   .-iM-  of  i!..-   Sm-  ^ 

A!!"';.-'!-  'itiii-u^   :a'-a-iii'-   ^^.:v  ;.    ■ 

•I..-  •■']:>■'■  "f  Kaili-.-a-l  ( •,,:;::■. S.\ a,-:  ^ 

1 ...  .1 


•n  aM">irr>-'l  Uv  ''.■•  '  ■!"\ 


<  '■  ■•:.'':i-<^a  iTi>-!  ^  w  --T'.-  t.  ■  ':a\  ••  "" '  ' 
:i-!V  ..ni.  .-I',  or  .-:^^lM^.....  ,,'  , 
:^'ii'a  \\  ''.r  :'.'■■■.  <-v  ''  •  /  --a'A  .;•'>••  •'  •: 
,.,i.v  ,,f  ^hS  h'\]  ^\a-  •■'  ^-^  ]  —  •■•'! 
-■■::_:'■!■  i-ar  'li;!*  i-.ii!  in  \'':.r'n',!.  1 
•i.aiiv  •..  T...-ifv  aM  raii:  ;  "  ■■■ 
].^.^-••  -   '■  a-    'V-v   ^.-M    ••  .  -■   ■ 

■'■  ^  •  •::  I  -a:.^  :  :•;••■.'■••:  ■    ■ 

■  ••     '•;.  ■■■'   I   -•-.:;:.,:  ■■■     ■   ■■   .        ■ 
:    -  _:     .    I   '  ..','   -^  .,  y    ■    . 


T:  ■ 


T' 


.   \" 


2lM)     Aii(()bi();ir(ij)}tu    of    John    11.    Md.ssiij 

iDado  iiTctricvaltly  Tii'pnblican ;  \mf  ^Taliono 
Avonld  liavc  been  vested  willi  autocratic  ]>()\ver 
in,  and  over,  liei". 

None  but  those  ^^•]|o  \\('re  enuaii'ed  in  this 
deadly  contlict  liave,  oi'  (-(ni  lidrc.  full  a])])reci- 
alion  of  the  fate  of  Viriiiiiia  which  was  sns- 
])eii(h'd  iii)on  its  result.  From  my  heart  T  tlund^ 
(lod  that  lie  ma(h'  me  instrumental  in  avertinj;" 
such  dii'c  de,i!:i'adat ion,  Inimilia tion,  tmd  ruin 
from  her. 


ciiAPTi:!:  xxi 

"   MASSKV  (i\    M  AlKtXi;. 

"Aitollirr    liiiifiin;/    ritiUppic    from    lh<     I'hiln- 
sj)</L<  n    I'lii'xo)!. 

"  'Ih'     •  //f/.v.v  '    (iik/     His     Ml  Iliads    Si  n  I'l  Ij/    i.i- 
coiidh  il. 

"  r.\i.MYi;.\,  \';i.,  Miiy  1' 1 .  Tlic  IImh.  .Inlm  !•]. 
.M;issi'\  .iddi'fsscii  a  lai-;:"t'  assciiihlaLT"'  <•!'  iln'  ••iii- 
zciis  (if  riuxaiiiia  roniity  today.  Tlic  citiiit- 
liuiisc  was  full,  altliiiiiuii  hiil  short  notice  lia<l 
tnM'ii  i;i\t'n  of  .Ml".  Masst-x's  iiitciit  ion  to  speak 
in  this  hot  hed  of  I  Jead  jusl  efisiil.  It  was  ehai'^eil 
Iiy  Seiiatof  Mahoiie's  snltsei\ieiit  Iiiehinoml  of 
'_^aii.  the  \\  lihi.  that  .M  f.  .Massey  won  hi  (nily  sjieak 
in  r'niHJei'  eonnti<'s.  To  this  ehafuc  the  Taixni 
ua\e  a  sat  isfaeiofy  (|nietns  this  excniiiL:.  '•>■  ''H- 
liu^liieniiiLr  upon  \afions  pnhlie  lopies  a  liiLrhly 
a  ppfeeia  I  i\  ('  asseinlily  of  the  yeoinaiify  of  '(ild 
I'lii,'  eoiiiposed  ahont  ('(pially  of  I'nndi'i's  and  Ke- 
a<l  jnstei-s. 

''Mis    speech     was    \efy    eleai'    and     foT'cilde,    oe- 

<aip\inLr  jn^l  two  honi's  in  its  di'li\-efy  and  was 
hiL'hlx  appfoxcd  an<l  iinlofsed  hy  neafly  all  who 
Iieafd  it.  M  f.  Massey  has  always  liceii  a  u'feat 
fa\oi'ite  of  tlie  peojije  of  I'lnvaniia.  and  is  niofe 
lio[uilaf    with    iheni    toihiy    than    ever    iMfoi'e. 

"  lie  eoninieiieed  his  Speech  without  any  foi'- 
nial  introduction,  sayin;:  that  he  ju-effiTeil  lo 
lia\e  no  ini  I'odiict  ion  to  the  jx'ojde  (tf  Idmanna; 


222     A  iitohiof/nipln/    of    John    E.    Maf^sry 

lie  liad  been  too  fully  iiulorsod  l)v  tliein  for  the 
lii,!::li('st  ollico  ill  tlicir  .irift  to  doubt  their  respcM-t 
for,  and  coiifidcuce  in,  him.  lie  apixsircd  before 
tlicm  under  diU'crenl  circuiiistaiict's  from  those 
under  wliieli  lie  last  addressed  them.  Then  lie 
\\as  advocatiiii^  ceriain  measures  and  \\as  s]>eak- 
iuLT  in  behalf  of  a  unite<l  ])art,v.  There  had  since 
been  un]ileasant  (•()m])li('at  ions  and  contentions. 
It  was  but  natural  that  they  sliouhl  desire  to 
know  their  orijxin  and  cause.  Tie  desir(Ml  to  ex- 
]»lain  them  fairly,  im])art ially,  and  as  fully  as 
he  could   in  a  sin^-le  address. 

''Mr.  ;Massey  said  h(^  thou^'ht  he  could  justly 
claim  that  no  one  had  better  ri,c:ht  to  speak  for 
the  Iieadjuster  party  than  he  had.  When  the 
]»arty  was  in  its  infancy  no  on(^  diuiied  his  riiiht 
to  bear  all  the  odium  and  abuse  which  could 
be  hurled  at  him  l)v  its  opponents,  and  lunv,  if 
there  were  any  honor  attached  to  its  success,  he 
ouuflit  to  be  permitted  to  share  it.  Instead  (tf 
this,  howevcu",  he  ^\"as  more  bitterly  denounced 
by  some  of  those  with  whom  he  had  recently  co- 
operat(Hl  than  he  had  ever  l)een  by  the  o])])(>site 
party.  Tie  had  been  char,i2:ed  with  'ti-eason/ 
called  an  '  a]tt)state,'  com])ared  to  T?(Miedict  Ar- 
nold, to  Judas  Tscariot,  and  to  (luiteau.  Simi- 
lar sweet  ejtithets  had  been  used  with  refei'enc(^ 
to  his  friends  in  i]\o  Senat(\  who  liad  ixained 
the  title  of  '  I^>i,ir  I'^^nr.'  who  had  place<l  t  lie  ])eup]e 
(if  A'ii-.ii'inia  umhu-  im])erishable  obliiiat  ions  to 
lhem,  who  ^\•ill  be  embalnuMl  in  the  alTectioiis  of 
tlieir  connti'ymen  and  live  in  history,  siinonmled 
by  a  halo  of  ixlorv.  ^^■llile  those  who  denoiinc(^ 
tliem — ^lahone,  his  satellites,  and  heiicliiiien  - 
will  Ite  forirott(Ui  or  remembered  only  witli  ffcl- 
ings   of   detestation.      Why,   Mr.    Mass(>y   asked, 


■■     l/'/.v>'   //     '///       ]l (ill 


were  he  ailil  these  Illell  tlius  assailed?  What 
liad  lliev  done,  di*  what  had  they  faih-d  in  dn, 
uhieh  Just  died  such   fmil   eharues  and  deiniiieia- 

t  itMIS? 

'•"A  (•(Uiiract,"  .Mr.   .Massey  said.  '  is  an  airiee- 

Illelll      lielWCell     the    (-(1111  fa  et  i  11^    pai'liev     cilhef    tn 

dii.  oi-  lo  altsiaiii   fi'diii  ddiiii:,  ceiMain   sii|iidated 

ihillU'^-  When  (ilie  nf  the  eiiiill'ael  i  IIl:  pai'lieN 
<iues  all  he  (•(lilt  I'aeted  Id  do.  llie  other  paftX' 
has  no  fuftlief  claim  npoii  him.  and  eaniioi  Ju^il_\ 
ehafiie  him  with  want  n\'  tideliiy  heeau^e  he  fails 
or  rrfuses   to  do  moi'e  than   he  eoni  facleil   lo  do. 

What  did  the  Keail  jnslel-s  jifoinise  the  people 
to     do-.' 

•••I'ifsl.  To  settle  the  Slate  debt  upon  eel'- 
lain   ftfiiieiples. 

"'Second.  To  Jilact'  the  jUlldic  fi'ee  schools 
upon   a    safe  and    peiananeni    hasis. 

•■"Thifd.  To  I'eniove  ffom  the  ( 'oust  it  iii  ion 
the  fesi  rict  ion  njton  the  fiirlit  of  sul'fraue  which 
fe(piii'es  a    man   to   pay   his  capitation    i;i\   liifoie 

he    eatl     \()le. 

■•  '  I'oui-th.  'I'o  aliolish  finiT.  cli(pie.  and  lhi^>< 
i'mIc.    and    s(»    to    1  iheca  1  i/.e    puldic    seniimeni    ;is 

to   sernfe   to  all    eipial    ffeedom    of   tlioim-hl.    v],ccij|. 

a  1 1<  1    action. 

•••|l;i\e     lhe--e     promises     been      fultilled'.'         Tllf 

Wood--tock  \'i  nn'iiid)!  I  M  f.  Kiddh'hei'Lrfi''^  pa  ■ 
[leri.  ;ifiiM-  eiinmeral  iiiLT  with  seiMuiiiLr  lAiiliatiou 
what  the  IJi'ad  juslers  had  doii,>.  s;i\s:  «"rr 
la  in  I  \     uoihinLT    faileil    that     the    pl.-ii  fonii    prom 

ised.'       The       \\'hi<l.      which       1       nsrd      to      think      -ood 

am  lioiii.\ .   and    ^till    do.    when    ii    telK    iIh'    iniili. 

s;iys:       The     I  lead  j  11^1  cfs    Innc    p;i^-.ed    e\  el'V    liie.is 

ni'e  to  which  they  were  e\er  foi'iiially  ph'dLr''d. 
and     niori  :    they    ha\('    fultilled     ('\rv\     pi'onnse, 


224     Aiifohiograpln/    of    John    K.    Mussry 

and  wore;  tliey  have  rodeomed  every  i)ledge,  and 
///ore. 

"  '  Now,  if  these  witnesses  lell  the  tnitli  wliat 
just itieal ion  liave  they  for  the  foul  cliarijjes  they 
])ul)lis]i  apiinst  "  ^lassey  &  Co.?""  I^ach  one  of 
tlie  "  Kii;  Fonr"'  voted  for  every  measure  tliese 
witnesses  boast  of  liavini^  passed,  and  no  one 
of  tlicse  measures  eouhl  have  been  passed  if  tliey 
liad  voted  a,u:ainst  them. 

'''I  do  not  elaim  tliat  our  pi'omises  to  tlie 
people  were  all  oom])lied  with.  We  pronnsed 
them,  and  T  meant  to  fulfd  it,  that  the  war  in- 
terest upon  the  State  debt  should  be  eliminated 
from  it  in  any  settlement  which  miiiiit  be  made. 
This  was  not  done.  We  ])i'omis('d  that  what(wer 
bill  miu:ht  be  ]>assed  for  its  settltMuent  should 
be  submitted  to  the  ])eoj)le  for  Iheir  ap])roval 
or  rej(M-tion  befoi'e  it  should  becoiue  a  law.  This 
was  not  done.  AVhy  were  these  ])l('dii:es  violated? 
I  eannot  answer  this  (piestiou  ])(>sitively.  T  am 
jjlad  that  the  cause  of  thescM'iolat  ions  of  pli<ji;hted 
faith,  and  all  Ihe  li'iekei'v  eonneeted  with  them, 
were  kept  fi'oui  me.  There  are  mou,  however, 
who  believe  that  thos(^  who  were  manipulatini]i: 
and  shapini;  leijislation  upon  thes(^  matter's  were 
speeulatini,'  in  State  bonds,  and  hoped,  by  haviuLT 
thesf^  ])ills  to  take  efTeet  from  their  passa«xe,  that 
the  ])i'esent  Court  of  A])peals  would  act  upon 
them  and  jironounce  them  unconstitutional,  and 
thus  <rive  them  another  opportunity  for  specula- 
tion. TTowever  this  may  have  l)een,  and  althouirh 
these  bills  wei'e  not  in  all  resjiects  what  T 
wished,  T  sincerely  ho]te  they  may  be  sustained 
and    the   del)t   question    forever   settled. 

"'What  was  it  thnt  ^fahoue  and  his  ]iimps 
wished  to  have  done  which  was  not   done,  and 


■■  MussriJ    1,11    MnliDitr  "  llJ,") 

wliicli  SO  aroused  their  iiialii:nil y?  N'irliially  to 
)>laee  hits  in  tlie  mouths  of  the  jieuph*,  and  the 
reins  attached  to  those  hits  in  his  i.Mahone's) 
hand'";,  that  he  inii^ht  dfi\f  them  aeeofdiiii;  to 
his  will  and  |deasure,  fof  the  s(de  juii-posi-  of 
advaiu-in^  his  own  jn'ixmal  iniefest.  and  the 
{•roniotion  t)f  iiis  own  schemes  and  t'oftunes. 
'I'his  he  pfoposed  to  do  liy  ui'tlin^  conti-itl  (d'  all 
the  otlices  which  then  existed,  and  ci-catini; 
othefs.  and  tilling  them  with  those  who  would 
yitdd    um|Uest  ioinni;  obedience   to   his   oi-defs. 

'•  '  1  enjoy  the  jifoud  satisfaction  id'  knowiiiLT 
thai  all  jiafties  ,iri\t'  me  cfedit  for  my  manaLT"'- 
meiit  of  the  tinances  of  the  State  an<l  of  all  the 
business  of  the  Atnlilof's  ollice.  My  political 
oppoiMMils  ha\-e  deidared  that  1  was  the  best 
Amiilof  \'ii-u'iuia  evcf  had.  \'el  .Malione  wanted 
me  ont  id"  oHice  because  he  kliew  tllMl  so  lollLT 
as  1  was  in  it.  it  would  be  fun  in  tlie  intefest  of 
the  Stale,  and  of  all  hei'  peojde,  and  not  in  the 
speiial    intefcsi    of   Malnuie  ami    his  satellites. 

"•lie.    Mahoiie.    did    not    ojienly    pfopose    my 

femo\;il,    but     SoUuill     to    Uel     ciUllfid    of    I  he    otVlCC 

by  imposim:  conditions  w  hicli,  if  accepted,  would 
ii:\\'i'  him  c(mti'(d  of  all  who  were  in  ii.  j  )oes 
any  m;in  believe  this  w;is  done  in  the  interest 
of  the  Sinte,  or  id'  the  piiiiy?  If  so.  let  him 
exphiin  why  ne;irly  all  the  (derks  he  ;ip]>Minted 
;ire  --till  ret;iined.  The  (udy  exphi  n;i  I  ion  that 
c;in  be  i:i\cn  is  thnt,  so  soon  as  1  was  oni  of  the 
otlice.  ;ind  one  (if  .MmIioiic's  subserx  inits  w;is  put 
in.  iJM'i'e  w.is  no  need  iif  pntliiiLT  his  nxds  in  the 
cle!-k-.liip.      lie   then    liail   one  at    the  liend  of  the 

otlice. 

"'When  the  tiuht  for  the  ;i ud it lU'shij)  was 
iToimj;  on.  (!cner;il   N'ewberr\'  oll'ercd  a  resolution 


22(1     Autohiofirdplni    of    John    E.    M(i.'<.'tri/ 

to  ainond  tlie  joint  order  for  the  oloction  of 
ccrlaiii  jiitl.Li'cs  bv  pressing'  that  of  aiidit(jr,  and 
Id  jtiocciMl  -witli  tluMii  srridh'n).  This  was  voted 
<h)\\n.  Then  (Jeneral  Xewbcri'v  moved  to  ad- 
journ, which  motion  i)revailed,  thus  breakinj; 
I  he  joint  order,  and  ])rodnein<z;  the  famous  dead- 
hick,  which  gave  rise  lo  tlie  immoital   l»ig  Four. 

'•  '  After  this,'  continued  Mr.  Masscv,  '  and  all 
during  the  d(Md-lock  I  was  charged  with  nnlaw- 
fuily  obsii-ucting  the  imjxu'tant  business  of  State 
legislation.  This  ^\'as  a  false  accusation  made 
by  swaggering  Kiddlelu'rgcr.  the  little  boss  and 
S])ol^esman  of  the  big  boss  of  gi'eat  ])i-etensions. 
I  ^\'as  a  \'ei-y  good  man  and  they  wanted  to  mak(^ 
me  auditor  for  a  second  term,  but  because  I  de- 
clined to  go  into,  oi'  be  govei-ned  and  led  by, 
King  Taucus,  then  1  became  the  sum  total  of 
unworthiness,  and  all  manner  of  im])i'ecat ions 
were  heajted  on  my  head.  And  just  lu'i'e,  my 
fi'iends.  let  me  say  to  you  that  a  (h'bt  of  gratitu<le 
is  due  to  the  Uig  l-'our  by  \'ii'ginia,  and  her 
faitliful  sons.  They  ha\"e  won  an  imjierishable 
fame  which  a\  ill  shim'  Iti'ighter  and  bi-ighier 
llii'ough  coming  yeai-s.  They  were  tried  and 
temjited  as  no  men  excr  befoi-e  wci'e  in  a  State 
legislatui'c.  Conti'ast  these  noble  and  incor- 
ruplible  four  gentlenu'Ti  will;  their  detractorsi 
.\  crown  of  infamy  decks  the  lu-ow  of  those  who 
are  ti-ying  to  gi-iml  down  the  Old  l)ominion  into 
tlie  dust  and  X'irginians  into  abject  slaveiw  of 
bd^sisin  1      [  A]i]>lause.] 

"•The  boss  dbjectoi'  was  I J  i(bl  leberger ;  he 
dbjccled  td  anything  being  considered  or  adcd 
upon  in  the  way  of  legislalidii  until  the  lioss's 
|i;ii(y  ami  jief  measures  wci-e  tii-st  ]iassed.  or 
\dtrs   taken   dii    Ihem:   but    was   not    the  glowing 


'■  Md^si  1/  on   MnlioHi 


;iih1  licry  cuiiih  of  (lie  siniltiii^  ;^;iiiit'  cock  of 
iIp-  Sliciiaiiiloah  beaut  ifully  ciii  and  his  tail 
tli|>pr(|  short  \ty  ihc  rclciiih-ss  shi-ai's  of  the  I'.ii,' 
i'oiii'/  [(li'cat  hniLihtcr.  j  What  taking  oil  was 
thri-c,  my  cotiiit  ryiiicii.  |  Kciirw  cd  laughter.] 
'I"h  i>.  \\  as  a  iiici'  picci-  of  ccoiioiny,  w  liich  smhlfiily 
Imi'si  ill  upon  the  luaiii  of  the  tioss,  the  i-i'mo\al 
of  the  oiuhi»'''ii  rirciiii  juilurs  and  the  sidtstiiii- 
iImii  iif  i\\fl\t'  oiht'i's,  followci's  of,  (If  wdrkt-rs 
('>]■.  ihi-  sujirciiiacy  of  the  l»oss.  Sciialof  llah\ 
of  ihr  W'i'j:  I'oiif,  in  his  cii'cnit  has  a  uond  and 
faithful  jiiduc  a  nian  of  pufity  and  jU'oliity,  and 
hi-  kickrd  aizainsi    luiaiiiiLT  liiin  out.' 

'•Ilifc  .Ml'.  .Massry  nhitrd  tho  cohn  rj-sat  ion 
of  •  di  iiid\<'n  li'i(hlh'l)ci'i:'('i' '  and  '<lifty  dim  I'fa- 
/i<T  '  w  it  li  ScnaiiU'  1  la h-  and  l  licif  •  makl'-tll'lit'\■('- 
I  ui-ninudut  "  (tf  i  hf  judLirs.  They  just  wanird  to 
L''''!  into  otVict'  their  friemls.  and  aftef  a  while 
the  \\(U-k  would  he  found  to  he  too  much  fof 
them,  and  six  otliefs  would  l)e  e|ecte(|.  '  (  )h  ! 
tlial's  the  L^'ame,'  said  Ilale.  *  Well,  you  may 
jusi  i;o  to  W  hefe  the  woodldue  twineth!' 
i<ii-eal    lauuhlel'.] 

'"INote  What  .Majof  Hale  said  to  Kiddjehei'- 
iref  and  I'ta/ier  in  the  Senate  was  to  •  <^i)  to 
hell!"  hut  of  coufse  I'arson  .Massey  could  not 
I'epe.it  such  si  I'om,^  Saxon;  hut  his  audilofy 
'  iMdk    in   t  he  sii  ua  I  ion.'  | 

"  .^I  f.  .Ma^-i-y  then  's.wr  his  c(unepn(Ui  of  iIm' 
priipn-  i|ualitic;i!  iiuis   of  ;i    judu'e      th.-ii    mum  hut 

L''"od  ami  lIMle  men  should  he  (Ul  the  hcllcll  to 
llieli-    (Hit     iuduMlielll    aud     fi  LTIi  I  eoU  ^Uess    to    tile    ped- 

ple.       lie    \\;is    u    siriuiLT    pa  ft  y    man.    and    other 

thiriLI'S  heinu'  e(pial.  he  would,  of  cour>i'.  iri\e  the 
otiicev    |o    hi^    ffieuds.        lie    had    heen    ceusill'ed    in 

this  maitei-  hy  his  pafly  in  oj»i>osiiion  to  it  and 


22S     Aulohiogntplti/    of    John    K.    Massrij 

in  the  eloction  of  Judj^e  Christian,  of  the  Ilnst- 
inij^s  (/oni't  of  liichniond,  for  wlioni  he  voted. 
]1<'  was  a  lawyer  himself  in  his  earliei-  days,  and 
had  a  great  liking  for  the  profession.  Even 
now,  when  he  entered  ;i  court-house  and 
heard  two  lawyers  sparring  away,  he  felt  like 
an  old  war-horse,  and  beeanie  eager  for  the  fray 
again. 

"At  this  i)oint  Mv.  ^Tassey  proceeded  to  scarify 
(leneral  ]\lahone  for  his  rec(-nt  vote  in  the  Senate 
to  i)lace  ;i  stigma  u})on  8outhei-n  soldiers,  his 
compatriots  in  arms.  Mr.  Massey  related  the 
strong  tie  of  fellowshi])  that  existed  between 
soldier  and  S(ddi(*r;  how  they  used  to  sit  around 
camp-tires  and  tell  their  tales  of  war,  of  their 
escapes,  and  of  the  cutting  down  of  brothers 
and  comi)anions  beside  them  amidst  the  smoke 
and  tire  in  tields  of  dreadful  cai-nage;  how  they 
stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  in  many  a  ])loo(ly 
contest,  and  of  the  laurels  they  won.  This  was 
something  to  try  men's  souls — 1(»  show  the  kind 
of  St  nil'  they  were  made  of.  in  all  this  com- 
])anionslii])  of  ai'uis  thei-e  \\as  a  union  of  hearts 
and  a  union  of  souls,  something  not  e(]ualed 
e\"en  by  the  mystic  bond  in  the  bi'otherhood  of 
masoni'v — ties  that  w<'i-e  sealeil  with  tii'e  and 
blood  upon  the  tield  of  gbu-ious  \ictoi'V  or  some- 
1  iliies  woeful   disastei'. 

•' Tliei-e  T'emaiued  but  oim  man  in  tlie  woi-ld 
to  astonish  mankind  and  insult  manhood.  That 
man  was  A\'illiam  Mahone.  He  was  an  ingrate 
and  so  confessed  himself  when  lu'  stoofl  uj)  in 
the  Senate  of  the  Fuited  Slates  in  the  name 
of  Old  A'ii'ginia  and  \oied  to  degrade  so  many 
of  Iici'  1)r;n-e  sons,  who  had  fought  and  bled  for 
hei'.   and    of    whom    tlie   bones  of  so   manv    thou- 


saii'ls  lie  pillow  I'd  (til  licr  l)i)S((iii  in  ilif  sU'cp  tliiit 
kiiiiws  III)  wakiiii;.  I  A j>|»l;nist'.  1  (icin'nil  W'il- 
liiiiii  MaliMiic.  of  \'ii"uinia,  was  ihc  only  man  who 
liail  infiitMl  liis  hack  on  liis  In-ollicr  soldiers. 
I  Si'ii^al  ion  and  ;^roa  lis.  | 

'• '  \ii\\  lia\('  all  heard  of  the  ( 'oiiiniissioncr 
of  Sales  Hill,"  eoiuiniied  .Mr.  .Masscy.  '  |i  was 
a  l»ill  wherehy  yoiir  jirojieriy  or  mine  coiild  he 
sold  iindel'  a  decree  of  the  coiirl.  if  wc  e\('r 
Imtiiiiic  so  iinfori  nnaie,  and  we  could  noi  lia\<' 
any  say  in  llie  mailer  to  jirolect  oiir  own  inler- 
esis.  li  was  one  which  u'axc  ilie  boss  siiini-me 
coiiirol.  soiiiewhal  after  the  manner  in  which 
the  scllo(d-teaclier  in-o\cd  he  riilecl  ihe  town  or 
coiiiilry.  A  man  dis]mliim"  his  authority  in- 
((iiii-ed  : 

I  low   do  yoii  make  t  hat  out '.'  " 

1  )iiiri   I  he  men  rule  the  CI  Hint  v\  '!  " 

••'•'^'es.'" 

hon't    the   women    nile   their   Imshands".' "' 

^'es."' 

l)oiri    the  children   rule  their  iimt  hers?  "' 

Ves." 

Well,  don't    I    /-///e  I  he  ihildreii '.' "    ll.aiiuh- 

ter.  I 

••  '  In  like  manner  w  inild  ( leiieial  M  a  hone  rule 
all  ihc  cdiinly  commissioners  imd  ciiy  conmiis- 
siMMci^    ihri'iiLih    the    Slate    commissioner.       'This 

hill    Wiiuld    lia\c    I II    [lasscd    ;illi|    WmuM    lia\c    he- 

ciMiii'  a  law  had  it  not  been  for  (Iciieral  \ew  ■ 
licrry  i>f  Uland  ('niiiily.  leader  of  the  HIlT  I'our. 
will)  iniriHhiced  an  amendment    to  the  hill   uivinir 

to     ihc     ]ti'M|i|e     ihe     power     to     rlrcl      the     ("iniimis- 

siimcr  iif  Land  Sales,  which  was  adojilcd.  I'nt 
when  the  appoinlmeiit  of  the  commissioner  was 
likely     to    hecoilie     NCvlnl     in     the     |»cop|e    (lelieral 


230     AittohiognipJiy    of    John   E.    Mas^tey 

Malioue  and  King  Ciiiieiis  ceased  to  take  an}' 
furtluT  inlcresl  in  the  mailer. 

••  •  When  npon  liie  motion  of  Senator  Xewberrv 
the  Senate  so  changed  the  bill  as  to  alh)\v  the 
jicopie  of  eacii  eommnnity  lo  eh'ct  iheir  (Commis- 
sioners of  Sales,  the  Maiioneiles  refnsed  to  snp- 
liort  and  pass  the  bill.  Whv?  ^^'ould  he  be  less 
worthy  and  nsefnl  if  elected  by  tlu'  people  than 
if  apj)ointed  by  Mahone?  Are  the  people  less 
ca}»able  of  selecting  their  ollicers  than  .Mahone 
is  of  making  the  selection  for  them?  None  of 
these.  The  only  reason  was  that  if  they  were 
chosi'n  by  the  iX'^>pl<^'  they  would  not  be  Ma- 
hone's  tools  or  pnp[)ets  with  his  collars  around 
their  necks  and  his  l)its  in  their  mouths.  Yet 
bear  in  mind  he  claims  to  be  working  in  the  in- 
terest of  liberalism  I  ()  Libei-ty,  Libei-ty,  what 
acts  of  o])i)ression  have  been  j)erj)et  i-ated  in  thy 
namel 

"'Another  scheme  of  self-aggrandizement,' 
said  Mv.  Massey,  'was  the  l)ill  to  declare  the 
commissions  of  notai'ies  juiblic  \acant  through- 
out the  State  on  the  1st  of  duly  tiext.  These 
olbcei-s  ])aid  S,~)  for  theii'  commissions  and  1  be- 
lie\'e  were  a]»]M»iiited  excry  four  yea i"s.  Hut  what 
had  they  done  that  they  should  thus  be  vacateil? 
Xoihing.  Their  great  olTeiiee  was  tliat  the  large 
majoiMty  of  them  were  not  boot  licks  of  the  big 
boss.  lla  !  it's  a  tei-i-il)le  sin  not  to  Im^  a  .Ma- 
li(  incite. 

"'Aiiothei'  ste]»  in  the  same  direclion  was  to 
taki'  from  the  coui'ts  tlie  right  to  aj)])oiid  their 
< 'oinmissioiici's  in  ('liancci-y  and  ( "ommissiont'iN 
of  .\cconnts,  and  jihice  tlieni  in  the  hands  of  the 
l]xccnl  i\(',  who  was  in  the  liands  of  Mahone. 
Auothci'  desjticable  outrage  was  attemjited  to  be 


'■  Mussi  ji    1)11    ]hiliiiii< 


'2:\\ 


{Hi'jicn'aictl  up(»ii  a  woriliv,  inirlliticiit,  and  iii- 
lliiriiiial  class,  ilic  icachfis  in  tin'  pulilic  sdiools 

iliDsc  leaching  llic  voiin^  idea  ln)\\  !<»  slioui, 
and  Von  liad  hciicr  lii'lir\f  ihai  sunir  ilav  in 
iIk-  near  I'mnn-  tlirv  will  "slicxii  "'  Mr.  W'illiani 
.Malmnc  oni  of  ilu-  lialli>l  l»<i\  wiili  {^([x-r  Imllcis. 
j  A|ijilausc.  I  'idiis  was  a  hill  In  lakr  llir  ap- 
iMiiniiiiL;-  jMiwcr  oni  id'  ilir  hands  of  \n\\v  conniy 
J  nd  1:1  \  VI  in  I'  (•(nnniiinw  call  h"s  an  Mini' V.  and  cnnni  v 
sni»crinlcndi'nt  of  schnols.  and  \csi  ii  in  ihc 
jiowcrs  that  he  in  Ikichiniind,  uf  which  .Malinnc 
was  ihc  hoss.  Now,  1  ha\c  (■\rry  conhdmcc  in 
yoiii'  conniv  school  hoards,  and  can  liiist  ihcm 
in  niakinu'  and  select  in^'  w  ori  liy  icaclnTs  for  yon i- 
]inhlic  schools.  lint  it  is  not  the  desire  of  the 
wonld  he  salraji  of  X'iruinia  that  the  comity 
school  hoards  should  select  atid  cmd'er  tlioe  po- 
sitions, lie  wanted  ii  so  arranLi;eil  that  no  lady 
or  L^entleiiian  coidd  receive  an  appoininieni  who 
was  not  for  him,  or  was  ohnoximis  to  hiin;  and 
with  the  appointments  remo\cd  to  iJichmond  he 
could  control  e\cry  one  of  llii'in,  and  dismiss  at 
jileasiire  any  man  or  poor  uirl  who  failed  lo 
do  his  ser\ile  hiddinu-.  This  wa>  1  ihera  lisin  with 
a   xeiiueain-e. 

'•  •  1  was  condemned  hy  this  ho<s  traitor  of 
N'iruiida    foi-  many   things,   with   oaths  and    male 

diclinliv,  ;ill(|  \\;|s  to  he  rri|-.hed  iiUt  of  e\  j -.1  ( 'li  ei  •  ; 
and     (he     \\]iX    I'ollI-    Were    to    he    Uloimd     to    powdel'. 

The  I'rvidt  of  tlieve  t  h  tea  t  s  is  thai  I  am  not  \et 
crush,,/.  ;iiid  the  rd--  I'.eir  ^lill  li\e;  e^preially 
Senator  N'ewhei-ry.  who  appe;irs  to  he  Lri\iiii:'  a 
LZ'odd  liNiiiu'  accoiini  df  himself  in  Soiiihwe^t 
N'ii'Lriiiia.  (  ■oiicerniin:'  one  of  the>-e  fonr  i  llah-i 
one  (if  Malioiie's  little  liiis-es  said  a>  he  pa^>ed 
aloiiix  I  he  M  reel   with  a  friend  : 


232     Anlohioijraphij    of    John    K.    Masscy 

'' ^  *' ^^'e  would  like  mij^htily  to  j^et  his  vote." 

"  '  Tiie  friend  asked:  '' AMiy,  how  is  that? 
haven't  you  got  Williams?  " 

"'  *'  Not  by  a  long  ways;  and  as  for  Hale  we 
don't  want  him — wouldn't  give  him  h — 1  room 
after  we  got  his  vote."      [Laughter.] 

"  *  These  were  the  very  words  the  little  boss 
used. 

"'One  of  the  most  outrageous  measures  intro- 
duced into  the  legislature  was  the  Commissioner 
of  Railroads  JJill.  AVhat  gave  rise  to  that  mon- 
strous uieasure  was  the  fact  that  ^[anager  Fink, 
SujK'iinteudent  Iltiger,  and  others  of  tiie  Norfolk 
and  >Vestern  Jiailroad  gave  otfenee  to  the  Vir- 
ginia l)oss,  ami  he  thereu])on  coolly  made  a  de- 
mand on  I'l'csident  Tyler  for  the  removal  or  dis- 
chai'ge  of  the  otfenders  of  his  boss-ship,  which 
insullerable  arrogance  was  rejeeted  with  the 
scorn  and  contem])t  it  merited.  Jtist  listen  to 
one  of  th(^  sections  of  tliis  bill: 

"'"That  the  said  Commission  shall  have  gen- 
eral su]>ervisorv  control  of  the  road,  to  whom 
mattei's  of  discourtesy  by  conductors,  agents, 
and  employees  of  railroad  compani(>s,  matters 
of  dei-eliction  and  accommodation  at  stations, 
projH'i'  lights  and  landings  at  stations  where  ]>as- 
seiigei'  ti-ains  stop  during  the  night,  shall  be  re- 
poited,  and  said  Commission  shall  have  full 
]iower  to  act  in  the  ])i'emises;  to  order  removal  of 
said  otiicial  ;  and  to  order  such  (dianges  as  will 
best  secnre  the  safety  and  accomnunlat  ion  of 
the  ])ublic;  and  every  railroad  com])any  shall 
]M)st  in  a  conspicnons  ])lace  at  each  of  its  dejtots 
and  stations,  and  in  each  of  its  ])assenger  cars, 
;i  copy  of  this  section;  and  the  I'emoval  of  any 
ollicer.  agent  or  emi)loyee  which  the  Commission- 


Mtissi  1/  1,11    MaliniK 


crs  iiiav  i-iMjuirc.  sliall  lie  proiniMly  iii.nlc,  •>!•  tlic 
riiiiijiiiiiv  fniliiiLT  I"  coiiiplv  with  such  n-(|uisil  ion 
sliiill  lie  siilijfcl  t(i  ;i  line  (if  imi  Irss  tli;in  uiic 
Iiiindicd  (lolliii's  nor  iimrc  tliaii  tixc  liiindi-i'd  t|i»l- 
lai-s  fny  cacli  I'ffusal  ny  iii)ii-r(iiii]iliaii(('  wiili 
silrli  ol'drr  of  I  lie  <  "( Ull  III  issinUi-i'S,  lo  lie  nT(i\- 
•  •ft'd  in  the  iiaiiic  of  the  Slate,  in  the  iiiaiiin'r 
llcrcilllM'fdff  ]»rn\id('<l  foi-  the  [•rcuNcry  (if  dtlicl' 
jiciialt  ics  iiaiiicd  in  t  his  act." 

••'If  he  \\aiii('(|  Id  {•(■^riilaic  Ideal  ficiuht  and 
jiasseiiirei'  laritTs.  why  didn't  he  inlrddiiee  the 
(leor-una  raili'dad  hiw  or  sdinei  IiinLi'  like  it  to 
aecdiiiiil  isli  these  ends.  IJut  that  wasn't  what  the 
r.dss  (h'sii-ed.  lie  was  aiming  ;it  i>iniinLr  e\ci\\' 
i-aili'dad  in  the  State  and  eNcry  einiddyee  df  a 
failniad  nndef  his  cdntfdl.  I'lider  such  a  liiJl. 
what  capitalist  wduld  iuNcst  his  nidiiey  in  the 
jU'eseiii  df  |ii-(ijccte(|  niads  (if  t  he  St  a  t  e  ?  I  want 
e\('ry  cause  nf  cdniiilaint  tending:  to  keep  capital 
dill    (if  the   Slate,  and   excry   Ncsiitre   t)\'  sectidiial 

feelillL'.   dltli  tel'ale(l    fl'iiin    wiljlill    dlir    lidl'ders. 

"•What  made  (ienei'al  .Mahnne  sicker  than 
any  of  his  ]iet  nieasiii-es  that  were  defealeil  was 
the  I-eappdI'I  idllllient  liill.  I-edist  i-ict  inu'  tjie  State 
intd  ten  < '(inirressidiial  disii-icts.  IjLiiit  of  these 
he  liarixained  to  hand  d\-ei-  td  Aiahiir's  adiiiinis 
traiidii.  The  lloss  put  me  in  a  Iult  disti'ict 
shaped  like  a  T.  lie  thinks  I  am  Lidiu^^  id  he  a 
candidate  for  TdnLrress.  As  \t\  thai  I  mav.  and 
I  mav  mil.  lie.  If  I  cduld  feel  that  I  cduld 
in  justice  td  myself  and  to  the  jicdple  df  \'ii'- 
L^nia  feiiirn  hdiiie  td  niLTld  .'ind  i-emain  theri' 
wiihdiit  I'VfV  makiiiL:  aiidthef  jidliiical  ^pi^'ch.  nr 
e\i'r  aL'ain  tillim:  any  pdlitical  dtVicc.  it  wduld 
lie  (ine  df  the  happiest  days  df  my  life.  I'ut  I 
am   ^Tdiii!^  fd  make  a   caiuass   ihfdULrh    the  State. 


2.S4     Aiilohio(/rn f)}i)/    (tf    Joint    K.    M(iss(}f 

if  not  ;ts  ;i  candidate  at  least  as  a  })rivate  citi- 
zen, in  Ix'lialf  of  tlie  jteople  of  the  State.  [  A])- 
]»lanse.] 

"'It  lias  been  ])i'oninl,uated  by  the  satrap's 
IJiclnnond  mouthpiece  iliat  lie  and  his  henchmen 
were  ixoinir  to  snp])ort  Pi-esident  Artlinr  in  re- 
turn foi'  what  he  had  done  f(»r  A'ii-^inia.  T  think 
President  Oarfield  was  one  of  the  best  and  no- 
blest of  men.  lie,  by  liis  consei'vat  ive  views, 
]lro^•ed  himself  a  fi'iend  to  ^'il•li•inia  ami  the  en- 
tii'e  South.  Now,  look  ye  on  this  ])icture  and 
then  on  that.  What  has  Pi-esidcnt  Ai'thur  done 
for  the  Old  Dominion  that  she  should  supjjort  his 
I'adical  administ i-ation?  The  lioss's  Kichmond 
oriran  says  the  State  owes  him  a  debt  of  iri'ati- 
tude  fo!'  sometliinu:  oi'  other.  What  foi'?  \Vhat 
lias  he  done  for  you,  my  friends,  that  you  should 
U"i\"e  him  yoni'  su]>]»iu't?  lias  ]\o  reduced,  or 
e\-en  i-ecommended  tln^  reduction  of  the  tax  on 
tol>acco?  Has  he  lessened  the  tax  on  whiskey  oi' 
on  any  of  your  ]»i'oductions?  Now.  whei'e  does 
the  .li'i-at  it  nde  come  in?  I  confess  I  am  at  a 
loss  to  see  it.  The  117////  and  its  boss  may  ixo 
o\{'r  to  Ai'thur's  Kitchen  Cabinet  if  tliev  choose, 
but  \\liat  i-iu'ht  has  it  dv  Mahone  to  dechn-e  that 
they  are  udiiii;  to  take  you  o\-er,  body  and  soul, 
to  a   radical  IJepublican  administ  i-at  ion? 

'■'^iy  fi'iends,  what  a  spectacle  was  ])resented 
to  your  view  at  the  ea]>ital  city  of  youi-  State  last 
wiiitd'!  .\  man  wliom  you  sent  to  the  rnited 
Slates  Senate,  leavimj;  his  seat  in  that  auirust 
body  to  come  to  IJichmond  and  cULraLre  in  jobliy- 
imr  measures  tlirouirh  \dui'  IcLrislat ui-e  I  .\nd 
when  he  <]id  come  he  ne\"er  for  om-e  ]>ut  u])  at  a 

l-espectable    holel.    but    made   his    liead(|  Ua  I't  ers    in 


]l<issi  II   mi     Miilinin 


•A  ix;inililiiii:  .1  ml  ili-inkiiiu"  saloon  on  Hank  Street. 
I  Seiisai  ion.  .\|iiilause.  I  (  >li  !  the  (leixradal  ion 
to  \'ir^inia,  von  ami  nie.  iliat  her  Kannei-  from 
iis  liiLrli  iieiiiiants  slionjil  In-  ilms  lowered  to 
li-aii  in  llie  «lnsi.  |  Loud  apidause.  ]  1  am  a 
\'irLi.i  nian  ami  so  uci'e  mv  foiefai  liei-s  w  a  v  l»aek 
to  I  lie  t"oiii-i  li   and   tifi  li   Lienerat  ion." 

••.Ml'.  .MasseV  hloUL^'llI  llis  addl-ess  lo  a  (dose 
liv   dtMdafiiiLT  iliat    Seiiaioi-   .Malione   was   now    the 

Wol'sl    enemy    of    N'il'Llill  ia    she    had    e\i-r    [Wixlueed. 

lie  then  ihanki'd  his  heai'ei-s  fop  the  patient, 
mai'ked.  and  ivsiieei  t'nl  alleniion  they  had  Lii\en 
him.  The  qnesiions  he  had  discussed  wen-  as 
deeply  inlefesl  iim-  to  I  hem  as  to  himstdf.  and 
\\liaie\(T  (omdusiiui  they  miLihi  arfi\<'  al  he 
lie|ie\cd    would    he   just    and    fail-   lo   him    anil    to 

tllemse|\  cs. 

••  .\s  their  old  -Vuditor  made  his  how  ami  was 
hsniiiLT  the  stand,  cries  (d'  "(lo  on,  uo  on.  Mi'. 
.A|asvc\  ;  '  wcfe  heafd.  llis  speech  w  as  del  i  \  ci'ed 
in  line  style,  was  (deaf,  loirieal.  and  con\incinu'. 
It  may  he  saf(dy  slated  that  could  it  liaxc  hem 
lieai'd  hy  all  the  people  of  \'ii'L;inia.  .Maliom- 
wiuild  tind  his  stock  of  'cidlai's  and  hits'  muih 
LM'eaiei'  thai)  the  demand  fof  them.  .\  I  the  oui 
(lu^ion  of  his  spee(di.  .Mi'.  Ma-^sey's  L'eadiuvici- 
ffiends  conu'i-a  I  ulalcd  him  on  his  i-einai-ks.  add 
iiiL'   within    heai-inu'   id"  yoiii'  c(U-i'espondent .   '  W'e 

lMdie\('    _\oll     a  I-e     fiLThl   :     we     a|ipld\e     \oUl-     coUl'^e 

and  will  follow  in  youi'  lead."  .\l  which  the  Tar- 
smu    ^milcd    ;i||    o\ci'. 

■•.Mr.  .\.  d.  'I'avloi'.  e\  ^et'^eani  at  arms  of  the 
llou^c  of  I  )idi-L:a  les.  and  a  Keadju^iei'.  informed 
your  coii-cspiindcni  ihat  '.Mi'.  .Ma^^^y  would 
cari'\    Iduvanna    ("<uini\    auainst   an\    man    in   the 


2'>(>     A  iit'>hi()(ini/)]ii/    of    ,hilni    IL    .l/r/.s'.sY// 

State/  All  ('(liicntiMl  eolorod  iiimi,  wlion  qiics- 
tioiKMl  on  the  snlijcct,  said  tliat  some  of  tlic  col- 
(iird  KciMiblicaiis  ^volll(l  also  vole  for  the  ViW- 
soii.  Tli(^  l'.a])tist  i'e1i,i,noii,  moi'eover,  lias  a 
sti'oiiij^  hold  on  them,  and  ^Ir.  .ATassev  is  a  shinini:; 
liuht   ill  their  ehnirli.'' 


(MIAPTllR    XXII 

CAMtlHATi:    l(iR   COXCiaiSS.MAN-AT-I.AKlii: 

In  .Inly.  I>SL*.  I  was  riMiucstcd  lo  incci  snini' 
fririiils  ill  W'asliiiiuioii  city.  ('jxtii  my  aiTixal 
I  t'oiiiKl  a  carriage  waitiiiir  i<»  lake  iiic  tn  llic 
residence  of  Iloii.  .loliii  S.  Uai'lMiiir.  I  foiiiul 
lloiis.  .1.  K'aiidolpli  Tiici^ei',  .Iiiliii  W.  l)aniel. 
(leorL:!'    I).    Wise,    James    llarhuiir.    and    oilicrs, 

ihere. 

Tlieir  jnirpdse  was  to  i:;et  me  to  aiiiiouiicc 
myself  a  caiididalc  for  <  "oiiirressmaii-ai  larire 
from  N'iriiiiiia.  I  l(dd  them  ii  was  my  desire 
and  piirpose  to  i-etire  from  j)iil)lic  life,  and  there 
wiiuhl  l»e  no  better  time  to  (h)  so  than  (hat.  I 
hail    h'fl    the   ami  itorship    with    the    res]>ect    and 

coiilideiice    of    the     jH'ople,    or    of    the    l^fea  I     liody 

tif  ilieiii,  of  all  |iarties;  and  I  did  not  wish  e\t'r 
to   lie  a   candidate  ai:ain    for  any   otiice. 

They  said  I  was  llie  only  man  wlio  could  unite 
all  elements  of  the  democratic  jiarty.  and  make 
a  snecessfnl  race  auainst  .Mahoneism;  and  iirired 
me  111  (1m  so.  I  a^ked  time  to  consider,  Iml  they 
iii--isied  that  I  should  then  and  ihei'e  announce 
m.\s,.lf. 

'i"lie\  liiiinLThi  me  iiaper,  \>f]\.  and  ink;  and 
I,  iheie,  in  .Mr.  r.arlioui'v  |iarhir.  announced  my- 
self \ery  hrielly,  stalinu'  that  I  would  ltIni'  m\ 
posiiidii  more  fully  in  a  few  day<.  In  compli- 
ance with  this  promise  I  ]iulili<hed  the  folhiw- 
iiiLT : 


2.'>S     Aiilohiof/rapltij    of    John    E.    Maascy 

"To  tlie  Voters  of  ^'il•fI;illia  : 

"  I'cllow-cit  izeiis :  ^'iI•^•inia  will  lie  entitled  to 
t(  }\  rej)i-eseiitat  ives  in  the  next  ( 'oniri'ess  of  the 
riiited  Stat(,'s.  As  there  are  l)ut  u'nn-  conLi'res- 
sional  districts  in  the  State,  one  Conu'ressnian 
will  he  elected  from  the  '  State  at  la  rue' 

'"  In  res})OTise  to  nnnieroiis  calls  from  men  in 
different  ])ortions  of  the  State,  foi'  whose 
opinions  and  wishes  T  have  u'reat  respect,  I  have 
annonnced  mvself  a  candidate  for  that  ])osition. 

'"'I  think  yon  know  me  snflicientl.v  well  1o  be- 
lieve nie  sincere  when  I  assnre  von  that^  if  I 
were  to  be  ii:overned  alone  by  my  own  feelinus 
and  preferences,  I  slionhl  never  auain  be  a  can- 
didate for  any  ])olitical  oltice. 

"■  r  i-eco2:nize  the  fact,  however,  that  no  or- 
dinai'v  ]»ei-sonal  consi(h'rati(Mis  can  jnstify  anv 
son  of  ^'iru'inia  in  declinin;]:  to  i-ench'r  any  h'uiti- 
mate  sei-vice  which  her  welfai'e  (h'mands,  when 
called  njioii  to  do  so  by  his  fellow-citizens  and 
his  own  con\ictions  of  dniy. 

"T  am,  therefoT-e,  before  yon  for  yonr  snf- 
frau'es.  and  shall  fully  and  L^'ratefully  a])])reciate 
yoni'   si]]i]»ort. 

"  While,  liowe\('T',  r  shall  hiiihly  a])])reciate 
youi-  votes.  T  shall  a]t])recia(e  yonr  confnhMice 
ainl  i-es])ect  still  moi'c  hiu'hly. 

•■  T  could  not  eN]»ect  to  elljov  these  if  T  wei'e 
1o  obtain  your  \'otes  by  eithei*  misrepi'esent  iuLT 
to,  oi-  w  it hholdiuLT  fr(un.  you  my  opinions  upfUi 
the  (|Ueslions  in\'ol\-e(l  in  the  a|)]tI'oacliinu'  elee- 
t  ion. 

"It  is  Ihei-efore  due  to  both  you  and  mvself 
that  I  slate  (dearly,  yet  as  brietl\  as  I  can.  my 
povit  ion. 

*'  I'or  several  years  past  tlie  settlement  of  the 


('aiidiil'tti     fur    (''iinjr'  ssiii<iii(i(l.<ir;ii      I'M'J 

Sialt'  (li'l)t  ;tii(l  dtliri"  «|iicst  ions  in(iilciit;il  td  it 
lia\t'  atisitrlitMl  so  iiiiicli  (if  llic  aiifiiiiun  of  flic 
[HMijdc  of  \'ii'i,'-inia  thai  tlicv  lia\c  ^i\rn  tdiii|iai'a- 
ii\t'l_v  liitU'  ailcntioii  to  I"c«1i'im1  allaii-s.  'I'licsc 
were  not  />o////(7//  (jiicst  ions.  'I'lic  most  staluaiM 
I  »cinori"ats  and  the  most  staluaft  lkf|iiil)lirans 
(li\iilr(l  anil  took  dift'cilv  opiMisitc  jtositions  iipon 
tllflll.  The  men  of  each  side  Wt'l'c,  no  douht, 
r(|ually  hoiicsi  -each  adiiiL:'  in  accofdaiii-t'  with 
t  lifif  Inuicst  coiiNici  ions  of  riulii.  Ncithci'  l)ciiio- 
cfais    nof    KfjMiIdicaiis    wci-c    h'ss    1  )iMno(i-ats   or 

less  iu'puhl  ii-aiis  liccaiisc  of  llicif  ItriliL:  cillicl' 
Krad  juslfl's  oi-   I'uiKlcfs. 

'•  'idle  h-aijci-s  of  lioih  the  1  Jcad j usi cr  pafty  and 
the  I'nndcf  paiiv  wfi'c  i  )ciiiocfais ;  and  radi  ap- 
pcalrd    to    Kr|»nld icans   to   co-oitci'aic    with    tlicni 

in     till-    set  I  li'Illrni     of     the    State    deht     and     olhi'l' 

<piesiions  of  State  [lolicy.  assnfinix  thein  that 
Ity  iJoiiiLr  so  they  in  nowise  saci'ificed  ilieif  po- 
litiral  allilialions  of  iifincdples.  Tliesf  (luc^iions 
npoii  whieh  Itotli  jioliiical  paflies  wru-  di\ide(l 
a  fe  now  settled  so  fai"  as  lei^islat  ion  ran  settle 
t  heiu. 

•'The  Kiehinond  Wlinf.  which  was  the  i>i'Lr;iii 
of  the  Keadjusiei'  pai'iy,  says:  ' 'idie  lleadjns- 
ters  Iia\f  |iasse(i  e\t'ry  ineasufe  to  which  they 
wcfe  formally  plcdu'ed.  and  moiw.  They  have 
fnllilled  c\ciy  pfoMMse,  aiid  niofc.  They  ha\e 
I'cdceiiied    cxcry    |dedi:(',  and    mofc." 

••The  Woodsiork  \  if'iiii i'l II  says:  '('rriaiidy 
liolhiiiL:   failed    that    the    |datfoi-iii    |>fomi-ed." 

••The  (|ue~-iions  which  scparaii'd  men  of  tie 
same  political  paiMy  ffom.  and  affayed  them 
ai,minst.  one  aiioilitT,  ha\inu'  hern  seiih-d,  no 
Iiai'tition  wall  of  di\iditi^  line  stands  Itriween 
I  hetn. 


210     Aiit(ihin<ini])]ii/    of    JOIni    IJ.    Massrj/ 

'*  XcitluM'  tlio  one  nor  tlic  other  slioiild  iiKlnljj^o 
ill  criniiiiat  ions  or  rcM'riniinat ions.  l)ut,  fori^cttini; 
all  (lilTcrciircs  and  nn])l('asaiit  iicsscs  ^^]li(•ll  niav 
ever  liavc'  existed  between  tlieiii,  slionld  nnile 
theii'  eonnsels  and  coinbine  tlieir  wisdom  to  de- 
termine ni)on  that  eoni'se  which  will  most  cer- 
tainly save  Virijinia  from  the  daii.L^ers  that 
thi'caten  her. 

"  ^\'e  shonld  aim  to  ])res(n've  foi'  her  that  lii^li 
and  honoT'able  position  whicli  she  lias  ev(M'  lield 
anionic:  lier  sister  States,  and,  if  ])ossible.  raise 
lier  still  hiirher  and  ei-own  lier  with  still  c^reater 
lionoi'  ami  prosju^rity. 

'"  T  need  seareely  inform  yon.  my  fellow-eiti- 
zens.  that  T  first  formnlatetl  and  enunciated  tlie 
pi'inci])h's  of  Iveadjnstment.  and  that  T  liave 
stood  firmly  and  nnswervin,ii,ly  by  those  ])rin- 
ciph'S  at  all  times,  in  all  ]»laces.  and  niider 
all  circumstances,  fi'om  an  honest  conviction  of 
riuht  and  dnt  v.  These  facts  are  well  known  to 
all. 

"T  was,  however,  a  Viririnian  and  a  Democrat 
befoi'e  the  question  of  lieadjiistment  evei'  ai'ose, 
and  my  advocacy  of  IJeadinstment  never  less- 
eneil  my  devotion  to  my  State  oi'  chanu^ed  my 
I»olit  ical   principles. 

"  r  have  always  conceded  to  thos(^  who  dif- 
fered with  me  th(^  same  riiiht  to  think,  s])eak. 
and  act  f<H'  tluMnselves  that  T  havi^  claimed  foi- 
myself,  and  have  treated  both  them  and  their 
o[)iiiions  courteously  and  resjx'ci  fully.  Yet  mv 
[)olitical  ]»osition  has  been  so  \\ell  nmlei-stood  in 
my  county  and  my  district  that  T  have  mwer 
been  a  candidate  for  either  i]\o  House  of  Dele- 
irates  oi-  th(^  Senate  without  haviiiLT  a  regular 
I{e])iiblican  ticket  aiiainst  me. 


<  '(I itdiihitr    for    <  'nnffr'  ssiiKni-dl-Luriji       L' 1 1 

"1  i't'i:n't  Ilic  iii'ccssiiy  (if  ilius  speaking  of 
iiivsrlf.  liiK  slidiild  (it'ciii  it  iiiiiiiaiily  tu  ask  your 
siipiKii'i  wiilioui  ui\  in;;  you  an  hoursi  aud  clear 
siaifiiirni    of  my    jioliiiral   i)o>iiion. 

•' 'riio  (|ucsiious  iu\()l\ctl  in  ihc  approaching 
conifsi    art'   \iial    t(»  your   iiiici'c>is.    rii,^his,  and 

lilit'IM  icH. 

'■  ll  iiiusi  he  ajijiarcni  lo  all  oIisitn crs  of  pub- 
lic iiiaiici-s  iliat  men  who  cai-i'd  iiolhiuLT  for  the 
jii-inciph's  of  ihf  iJcadjusicr  parly,  and  never 
Joineil  ii  unlil  ihey  saw  in  ii  ihe  suresi  load  to 
iheir  own  ele\ation  lo  jihice  and  power,  are  now 
srckiiiu:  lo  make  iiierehandise  of  the  State,  which 
e|c\aie(|  them  to  their  present  piisiiions,  that 
they  may  still  further  eidiaiiee  theii'  jtowcr  and 
increase  i  heir  w'ealt  h. 

•'  When  Senatoi'  llill  and  others  criiicised  so 
si'\el-e|y  what  they  snjiposed  would  he  the  course 
of  (leueral  .Malnuie  in  the  Senate  of  the  rnited 
Slates  hefore  he  had  L;i\t'n  a  \iiie,  I  disapprovcil 
of  their  ((Mirse  and   censured   ihem    for  it. 

'■  And  when  (leiieral  .Maleuie  repelled  these  at- 
tacks, declared  he  was  a  '  hetler  i)emocrat  '  than 
his  assaihinis,  ami  asserted  his  independence  of 
caucus  dictati(Ui.    1    ajtplauded   him    for  it. 

••  I  did  mil  siip[io<e  it  pdsvilijc  ihai  lie  who 
liail  alw;i\s  liiijsii'd  of  his  I  )emocr;ii-y,  and  win* 
hml  hill  a  sliMiM  lime  hefore  swoiii  ilinl  the  \(iie 
of  \'i!L;iiii;i  should  •iie\cr  he  cast  for  (lartield,' 
li.iil  e\en  ilieii  foiMiied  all  alliance  wiih  the  Ke- 
putijii  an  p;irly.  ami  would  soon  after  he  de\isinLr 
a  jihiii  for  hiiihliiiL:  the  whole  Stale  o\i'r  to  \v- 
ihiir  in  e\rlianu'e  for  the  I'edei'al  palronau'e  of 
\'iruiiii;i. 

"  I  coiihl  not  lielie\e  ihaf  ;iny  son  of  N'irLTinia 
wdiild   thus  dcLTrade  his  urand  old   mother,   if  he 


242     Aut'ihi'x/rapJiy    of    Jo]ni    H.    Massoj 

li;i(i  not  I'oi-ccd  llial  hi'Tu'l"  upon  iiic  by  the  most 
iii(hil)itabh>  evidence. 

'•  Tliink  of  it,  my  fidlow-citizeiis  I  Vii'<jjinia, 
wiili  all  her  past  iiiory  and  renown! — witli  all 
liei'  fulni'e  ho])es  and  |)i'((s])ects  I — A'ii'^'inia,  tlie 
'  .Mothei'  of  States  and  of  sta<{^snien  "  1 — yon  and 
I  and  oni-  ehildi'en! — all  to  be  l)artere(l  for  a 
few  offices,  to  be  tilled  with  submissive  tools  that 
ai'e  willinii:  to  yield  the  most  abject  and  servile 
obedienee  to  autocratic  rule  foi'  the  tritlini^  hon- 
(ii's  and  emoluments  of  a  ])alti'y  olllieel  ^Vas  o\('V 
so  noble  a  heritaii'e  sold  for  so  ])oor  a  mess  of 
])ot  faixe? 

''  IJnt,  my  fellow-citizens,  thonuii  the  sale  may 
be  aui'(M'd  upon,  the  ti'ansfer  cannot  be  made 
N\ilhout  your  consent.  If  yon  are  un\\illinu;  to 
be  made  merchandise  and  d('li\'er<'d  ovor  to  your 
pui-cliascr,  it  cannot  be  done.  The  jxjwcr  and 
the  ri^ht  to  exei'cise  it  are  in  your  own  hands. 
That  you   will  exei'cisc  it   wisely   I   cannot   doubt. 

"  ^'on  may  be  told  that  the  pi-cscnt  l''e(h'i'al 
Administi-at  ion  is  fi-iendly  to  A'iru'inia.  and  that 
this  fi'icndly  dis])osition  ouu'ht  to  be  r('cii)i'ocated. 
No  one  will  more  fully  aj)preciate  kindness  than 
1.  or  iiKti-e  I'cadily  reciju'ocati^  l<ind  acts.  Uut 
what  has  the  Kejuiblican  jmrty  of  tlie  Noi'th  don(> 
for  A'ii'u'iuia  that  jdaces  hei-  nndei'  obliuation 
to  it'/  Are  we  to  tliaidv  it  foi*  its  pi-otect  i\"<' 
tarirr.  wliicli  imposes  a  hea\y  tax'  <ui  \'ii*;i:inians 
to  eni'i<']i  Xorllieiai  manufacl  urei's?  .\  I'e  we  to 
adiiiii-e  it  Itecause  it  imjxtses  a  hea\y  tax'  u]»on 
the  tobacco  and  wliiskey  and  brandy  which  ai'c 
i-aised  and  manufact  ure(l  in  A'iruinia  ?  Shall  wo 
praise  it  for  its  odious  intefnal-re\'enue  system 
of  taxation,  wliich  tloods  the  State  with  l^Mb'ral 
ofVice-holdei's  to  annov  and  vex  oni'  citizens  and 


Candhhiti     for    Con'ir'ssmdii-dl-Lnriir     2\'A 

f;iltcn  ii{»uii  tlifiii?  we  musl  lie  Idiiid  tn  both 
our  iiiit-rrsis  and  our  riLchis  when  \\c  do. 

"  Lfi  no  one  infn-  t'i-oni  what  I  have  said 
ihal  1  cliarut'  (imcral  .Maliouc  with  lia\inLr  sjic- 
cial  admii-alion  or  kind  t'c(-lint^  for  a  Krj)uldi- 
can.  lie  cai'i-s  not  ;i  W'j;  \'nv  ciihci-  a  Kfpul)li- 
•  an  or  a  Ih-inocral  raiMlici-  ilian  lie  can  use  liini 
for  his  own  l»cuftii.  If  ;i  man  In-  a  M'iIi'i/k  it'\ 
lir  ni-cds  no  oilici'  ri((unnicndal  ion  m-  ([ualillca- 
tiou.  'I'liis  liis  liini  for  otlicc.  w  lid  Ihm"  In-  tic  a 
hciiiocrai  or  a  Kc|uililican.  If  he  lie  an  anti- 
Malnuiciie,  it  mailers  noi  how  tiaie,  how  hoiiesi, 
and  how  capahle  he  mav  he.  no  oihei*  cliarue  is 
nccessaiy  lo  insui-e  his  removal  fi-om  ollice, 
ihoiiu'h  he  mav  he  lillinu'  it  well,  wlii-lhci-  he  he 
a  l)emoci-al  m-  a  lo-imhlican.  Self  is  ihe  con- 
trolliui::  considerai  iou  !  I'ndei-  ihe  tlai:'  of  I  )e- 
mocracv  he  is  seckini:,'  lo  march  X'iririnia  inio  the 
cam[i  of  stalwart  Kepuldica  n  ism  for  his  own 
lieiieiii.  ruder  tile  liaiiiier  <d'  liheialism  and 
o|i|i(»sit  ioii  lo  riiiizs  and  (li(|ues  he  has  iuaiiuu- 
rated  the  most  autocratic  rule;  he  has  displavcil 
niofe  iniolrraiice  of  other  men's  ri;:his  of 
ihoULihi,  s|ieecli,  aiid  acti(Ui  and  re(|uire(|  more 
ser\  ile  silt  III!  i<s  jo  II  III  his  will  and  aui  liorii  v.  i  han 

was    e\er    ticfofe     williessed     ailiolli;-    ailV     I'Vi't'     |ieii- 

ple.      I'lider  the  ] hi] Hilar  rvy   of  c(|ual    I'iuhl--   for 

all     the    Iiedple.    aild    Mpjiovil  JMii     In    in  i  M)  o|  im|  i , 'v.,     he 

so  sha[ie(|    leirisla  I  ioii    thai,   tuil    foi-   the  sauaciiy. 

the     pal  riot  i>m.     ihc     lidllesly,     ;iml      the     illdi'pelld- 

eiicc  iif  the  iinlde  ]*,  i  l;'  I'diir.  eipial  r  i  l;  1 1  I  ■-  would 
miw  tie  Imm  an  em|il\  name,  and  ttie  \ci-_\  term 
a  iiMH-ker\  ;  ami  ihe  auLii'eLia  le  jHiwer  of  all  iiio- 
no[iMlics  cMiicriii  la  led  ill  his  hands  ;i  t.ji  in 
each  man's  moiiiti  while  he  held  ihe  reins  and 
whip. 


244     A  iitohionniplii/    of    Joint    E.    Masscy 

''Are  \iiii:i  Ilia  lis  irady  for  sucli  liumiliatiou 
and  wroiii;?  You  have  fought  and  bh'd  in  de- 
fence of  voui'  ri<;hts  and  your  lil)t'ily.  \\'ill  you 
now  sit  lamely  by  and  see  them  taken  from  you 
without  an  effort  to  jjreveut  it?  Jfemeniber  that 
*  l)eaee  hath  lier  victories  no  h'ss  than  war.'  A 
.urand  but  bloodless  victory  is  within  your  reach. 
IMit  forth  your  hands  and  grasp  it.  Your  ban- 
ner is  now  unfurled  and  lloating  proudly  in  the 
breeze.  J>y  the  blessing  of  Jlim  ^nIio  rules  the 
nations  it  shall  never  trail  in  dust,  and  never 
be  furled  until  victory  ]»erclies  ujxtn  it. 
''  Very  res])ect fully, 

"  John  E.  Massi:y. 

''July  10th,  1SS2." 

After  I  consented  to  be  a  candidate  for  Con- 
gressman-at-large,  ilon.  A.  y\.  Keiley,  chairman 
of  the  State  J'lxecutive  Committee  of  the  Demo- 
cratic ]»arty,  i)ro])osed  to  call  a  convention  to 
nominate   me  as   the  ])arty"s  candidate. 

I  o])j»osed  his  doing  so.  1  wrote  him,  in  an- 
swer to  his  letter  to   me: 


*' If  it  A\'ere  j)ro])ose(l  to  call  a  convention  to 
iKiiiiinate  a  candidate,  1  should  ap]»ro\"e  it  ;  but 
when  \'ou  say  that  it  lias  been  ali'('a<ly  diM-ided 
that  I  am  to  be  nominated,  I  think  no  nomina- 
tion slmuld  be  made.  lie-uniting  launder  and 
IJeadjnslci-  I)em<>crats,  and  thei-e])y  rescuing  the 
State  fi'diii  .Malioiie-IJepublicaii  misrule,  is  my 
main  (il)ji'ct  in  consenting  to  beconie  a  candidate. 
If  I  be  iKiminatecl  by  either  wing  (tf  the  ]>arty 
ii  may  displease  the  other  and  defeat  my  obj(^ct. 
All  A'ii-ginians  know  that  I  am  a  J)emocrat. 
Tliev  also  know   that    1   am  a    IJead  iustei'.      If  T 


('(Dididiih'    for    (''))i(jr<  ssnidiiat-  l.nrjic     IM.""* 

(■;tii  iM'iiii;  the  two  \viiii:s  (np-ihcr  in  this  cainass 
ii  will  |i;i\<"  the  WAS  flip  a  pmuaiit'iil  union,  and 
I  lit'  Siaic  will  lit'  sa\('(l.'" 

.M  V  |ilan  was  a(in|iif(l.  and  I  ran  as  an  imlc- 
I'l'iidi-ni  lit-ad  jnsici'  1  )cni(n-i-ai  up  I  )cin(>rr;ii  ic  llr- 
adjUNii'i'.  'I'll!'  fridinii"  lu-twccn  ilit-  iwo  w  inu's 
(if  till'  jiarty  was  so  antauoni^iif  and  liiiid", 
lliai  anv  arii\c  ad\(M-acv  of  luv  election  by  eiilier 
Wdldd  lia\('  lieen  otrensi\('  lo  llie  olhei'.  I  had 
iliei-efoi'e  lo  conduct  uiv  can\ass  with  hut  liilh' 
aid    ffoiii    eithef. 

doliii  S.  Wise  was  the  Mahoiie  candidate.  All 
the  |Mi|itical  machinei'v  was  in  Mahoiie's  hands 
and  was  \\(ii-ke(|  to  its  full  capacity  accoi-din^ 
to  his   iiieihods.      'Idle   Malione  caiiNassini!:  hoai'd 

U'.IXC    W  ise    a    cerliticate    of    election. 

TIh"  I  )eniociai  ic  chairman  of  the  Stale  |Md)- 
li>hed    the   followini:": 

•'  ri'uent  ajipeals  to  .Mr.  .Massey  from  e\-ery  di- 

I-eclioii  to  ciUltest  the  seat  of  dollU  S.  Wise,  and 
the  pfolTei-ed  testimony  of  the  most  shameless 
flMUds,  juvlify  the  helief  that  the  tfUe  peoph'  of 
N'ii'uiiua    desire   the   mask    toiai    ffom    those    who 

lia\e     claimed     cl-edit,     Umlel-     the      f;i|se     pfetence 

lh;ii    iliey    wefe   the   champions   nf   the   pni'ily   of 

the     l.illJMl    Im,\  ;     ;ni(l      ihaf     they      (the     pei.ph'l      [Wr 

[ii'e[ia  re<l  III  help  the  LTood  Wdvk  nf  i  li.ii  ia  pi  ivn  i-r. 

I'lldiM'     ihe^e     cjl'cU  mv|;nice<.     Mild     willl      tile     collli 
dent     helief    that     he    I'ecei\ed    a     hiru'e    llliljol-iiy    (if 
the    le-;il    \otes    of    the    Stale.    .M  f.    .Masvr\     ha--    fe 
s(il\  (•(!    to   coiilevl    I  lie   eh'ct  ion." 


I    w;is  ciinvinceil    that    I    was  electeil    hy   a    ma- 
jofiiy    of   ahout     10.0(1(1    of    the    Icirally    (pialitied 


24(5     Auiohiofjraphij    of    Joltn    K.    Masscy 

vod'i's.  I  spent  nearly  the  wliule  of  both  ses- 
sions of  the  4Sth  Congress  in  Washington,  earn- 
estly but  vainly  trying  to  get  niy  contest  acted 
njtoii.     It  was  ncrcr  culkd  up! 

Another  contestant  was  seated  just  two  lioni's 
Ix'fore  the  iinal  adjonrninent  of  tlie  second  ses- 
sion, lie  had  been  kept  waiting,  Ihrougli  both 
sessions;  tlie  contestee  held  the  seat  and  drew 
all  the  peripiisites  and  full  pay  to  the  last  day: 
then  the  contestani  was  sworn  in,  held  his  seat 
two  honrs,  and  drew  fnll  pay  and  all  the  per- 
(piisites  for  the  two  sessions. 

I  had  many  anmsing  and  some  I'ongh  ex])eri- 
ences  dnring  this  canvass. 

lion.  John  S.  l>arl»onr  and  1  were  at  ^ladison 
Court  House  together.  Wise  was  exjx'cted  to 
meet  me  there,  but  did  not  do  so. 

A\'hen  I  commenced  sj)eaking  the  Mahoneites 
tried  to  break  up  the  meeting.  Whenever  I  at- 
tem]»ted  1o  speak  they  would  call  "W'isel  Wisel 
W'isel"  Some  of  my  friends  wished  to  resent 
this  seriously,  but  I  dissuadeil  them.  I  stood 
(piietly  until  there  was  a  lull;  then  1  said 
((uickly:  ^' A  man  once  lioasting  to  another 
of  his  great  ])rowess  said,  M  can  call  s])irits 
from  the  \asty  dee])!  '  *  So  can  I."  said  the  other. 
*  but  will  tiny  conic  when  yoti  call  them?"  ^'ou 
may  call  M\'ise!  \\'ise!'  as  bnig  and  as  loud 
as  yon  jtlease,  but  he  will  not  come,  so  you  had 
as   well    be  (pnet."" 

They  (piieted  down  and  ga\"e  me.  \\\\\\  but 
little  excejitiou,  a  respectful  hearing. 

b^iuder-l)emocrats  feared  that  if  they  tool<  the 
stunift  in  my  l)ehalf  it  would  driNc  ileadjnsters 
ffitm  me:  and  my  iJeadjustei'  fi-iends  feare(l  tjiat 
if  IlK'y  spoke  in  my  behalf  it  would  drive  I'^under- 


('iiii'fiiliih   I'nr  ( 'oin//-'  ^siii'i  ii-'i  I  -  l.ari/'        1*17 

1  >riii(i(l-;ils  t'ldlii  liit';;mil  i  f  ;i  11  \  liiollt'V  \\  cl'c  uscil 
in  iiiv  Ix'liair  il  \\;is  wiilidui  iii_\  njiiiroNnI,  ur 
kimw  It'dij:*'.  Ilciicc  I  hail  lu  make  my  caiuass 
mainly  ahmr. 

Ivirlimiind  city  ^•a\('  a  iimsi  llallrrin^  drmon- 
si  rat  ion  in  my  licliaif;  ami  w  Ihtcx cf  1  went  1 
was  II Id  i(_\-  jai'^c  and  ciii  liusiasi  \r  andiciiccs,  and 
was  (d'icn  di'ixt-n  in  ]ii-tiirssi<ins  tliat  were  led 
and    fnlldwcd   by   mnsical   hands. 

\\  lien  I  rctufiicd  tit  my  own  county  I  was  met 
at  the  ( 'liai'lol  lcs\  ijji'  dc|»ot  ity  a  laiuc  cfowth 
The  city  jtapcf  ua^■•■  the  follow  iiiLT  account   of  it  : 

".lohn  I].  .Masst-y  ai-i-i\(M|  here  today,  and 
was  iiiei  at  the  (|('])oi  hy  a  de|iiitation  (d"  citizens 
accompanied  li_\  a  hfass  hamh  and  escoiteil  to 
tlie  court  JKiiise  f(dloWfd  hy  ail  immense  thfoIlLi:. 
The  enthusiasm  was  intense  and  seemed  to  per- 
\ade  all  (lasses.  'Idie  coniM  house  was  packed 
to  iis  lit  most  cai»acity  with  peo]de  who  seenitMJ 
as   ea^ei'    to   lieaf    .Massey    speak    as    if    tlie\    had 

lie\er   seen    nV   lieai'd    llilll.       Me    made   ail    excellent 

aildress,  excoriat  ini,^  the  ( 'oa  lit  ioiiists.  Mis 
w(tr(|s  were  i-ecei\'ed  willi  the  liiLi'liesi  marks  (d* 
a|ipi'o\al.  .  .  .  The  enthusiasm  ma  ni  fi'st  imI 
for  .Mas^ev  here  at   his  home  hy  tlio^e  from  whom 

he    heretofore     recei\fd     the    StroimevI     opposition 

and  ilie  hardesi  hlows.  should  eradii-ate  from  the 
iiiimK  of  all  I  »eiiiMerat  ic  he-iiators  all  ilouhi  of 
the  propri.'iy  (if  ea^tinu'  their  halloiv  fur  him. 
.Men  who  came  here  ioda\  in  doiiht  went  away 
saii-^tied  ihat  a  Mile  for  Ma^-ey  was  a  \oie  for 
principle  and  aiiain^-i  the  hazard  of  a  political 
dcLiradai  ion  snch  as  N'irLrinia   has  iie\er  known." 


()ne   elTect    of   m \'   caiiNass    was   the   rciinitin: 


24S     A  iil(jhio(/r(i])Jiij    of    John    E.    Masscy 

of  Democratic'  Flinders  aud  Deiuoeratic  Kead- 
j  listers,  and  I  lie  plaeiiij^  of  the  Democratic  party 
thus  united  in  control  of  the  State. 

Tiie  Staunton  \"nnlicator,  an  inde])endent 
J)emocratic  ]tai)er  established  in  184(1,  said  with 
i-efereiice  to  this  fact: 

"  Hon.  .Tolm  1"'.  .Massey,  on  all  (|uestions  that 
lia\('  arisen  in  connection  with  the  State  debt, 
is  tlie  ablest,  best  informed,  and  most  far-seeing 
of  the  ]»ul)lic  men  in  AMi-^inia.  It  is  a  l)r()ad 
statement,  but  it  is  true,  and  we  think  there  is 
hardly  a  man  to  be  f(Hind  that  will  deny  it.  He 
has  done  more  for  the  Democratic  ]»ai'ty,  as  an 
individual,  than  any  one  man  in  Viriiinia,  if  we 
except  Hon.  John  S.  liarbour.  One,  .Massey,  se- 
cui-e<l  to  the  Democi'acy  the  ])ossibility  of  carry- 
inic  the  State;  and  the  other,  l{arl)our,  made  the 
]>ossibility  into  an  accom])lishe(l  fact.  Massey 
lias  borne  morc^  for  the  Democracy  of  Virginia 
thiin  any  one  man  in  the  Stale,  and  we  clial- 
len,u-e  a  conli-adict  ion  of  the  statement.  .  .  . 
The  i»arty  has  nnanimously  come  to  the  stand 
taken  by  Mr.  Massey.*' 

A  Democratic  convention  was  held  in  Lynch- 
burg in  iss;',,  which  reoi'.uaiii/.ed  the  ]»arty.  A 
committee  of  thii-ty  members — three  from  (^ach 
T'ouLiressional  district — was  ai)i)ointed  to  draft 
a  "  phitfoi-m."  That  committee,  after  a  brief 
conference.  committe(l  the  woi-k  to  a  sub-commit- 
tf'c  coiiipMsed  of  Majoi'  Keiley,  .Major  Daniel,  and 
iii_\se]f.  .Major  Keiley  and  T  dift'ei-ed  on  tlii'e(^ 
].oi]its.  He  tinally  yielde(l  two  of  them,  but 
would  not  consent  to  my  views  on  the  thiivl.  W(^ 
discussed    it   until    after   sun-down.      AN'hen    the 


<  'nndlil'itc  for  ('oin/r'  sshkiii  al  I .'irii(        L'l'.l 


(itlu-r  iiiciiilici-s  (if  the  coiiiiniiht'  r('luiMi»'<l  we 
sill»liiil  led  mil"  colllrlil  ioil  Ii»  lliclil  lln'  whole 
roiiiiiiitit'c.  .Major  Kcilcy  and  1  did  not  suto. 
Iiiii  the  ((tiler  ( w  cut  y-eit:lit  wcfe  iiiiaiiiiiioiis  I'of 
my  resolution.  The  ])lalfofm  was  re]iiii'it'(l  to 
the  eoiuciit  ion,  and  unaniinously  adopted.  The 
I  )einoci-at  ic  pai'ly  has  lieen  \i(torious  in  e\t'fy 
State  (deet  ioii  since. 


CriAPTEK   XXII I 

WHO  si:ttlki)  tiu:  state  hki'.t? 

''  To  llie  iMliior  of  llie  Dispah-Jt:  Tlic  L(\<;islii- 
tiire  of  Vir<;-iiii:i,  liaviii^i;'  passed  such  bills  for  the 
settlciiu'iit  of  the  Stale  debt  as  were  deeiiied 
iiecessai'v  and  proper,  and  tlu^  Su])reine  Court  of 
the  Tiiiled  States  liaviiii;  deei<led  that  those  l)ills 
ai'e  constitutional  and  valid,  those  Keadjusters 
\\  ho  aet(Ml  from  ]»rineip]e,  and  not  fi'oiu  selfish 
motives,  consider  the  debt  settled,  so  far  as 
l(  (/isfdl }())!  can  settle  it.  and  are  \\illinii'  ;ind 
(lii-rioiis  to  dro])  the  whole  snltject  and  let  it 
'sleep  the  sleej)  that  knows  no  wakinir."  They 
feel  but  little  pcfsotuil  concern  as  to  who  i^ets 
the  credit  oT'  enjoys  the  honor  of  ha\"inu'  fou^iit 
the  battle  of  K'eadjust  men!  and  formulaled  the 
princijdes  which  u'ax'e  il    success. 

"•  liiit  as  the  Whin  and  th(»se  who  echo  its 
notes  insist  that  the  debt  is  not  settled,  but  is 
siill  to  1m-  an  issue  in  N^ii-^inia  elections;  and  as 
they  (daim  to  ha\'e  been  its  s])ecial  cham])ions  in 
the  ]>ast,  and  ai-ro.i:aie  to  tliemselves  the  entire 
^uai'diaushi|i  and  control  of  it  in  ilie  futui-e;  and 
;is  these  ;irr<iu;int  c];iims  may,  if  allow'e(l  to  j»ass 
unchallenu'ed,  deceixc  and  mislead  honest  iiu'ii, 
I  ha\('  consenied,  ;it  the  solicit  at  i(Ui  of  fi-iends 
foi'  whose  wishes  1  h;i\('  lil-eat  I'cspect.  to  ii"i\"e 
;i  few  incidents  in  the  hisioi-y  of  tlie  tiLiiit  foi' 
ami   aiiainst   the   use   of  i'ecei\able  coupons,   etc. 

••I  will  state,  by  w;iy  of  int  T'oduci  ion.  ilmt 
I,  in  c(»mmon  with  a  lai'^ic  maJoi"ity  of  th(i  Con- 

■2:,o 


1\  ho  S,  Ith  ,1  tin    Shih    Ih  hi.' 


si-i-\;ni\('  ii;iiiv  of  \'iru''ini;i,  \\;is  not  satisfied  with 
till-  1 'iiiid  iiiu'  I'.ill  of  1>71.  We  dill  not  ln'licNT 
tin-  iK-djilc  of  X'iriiiiiia  wri'f,  iimhr  all  thr  dr- 
i-ii  III  si  It  iii->  X,  iiinrdlli/  lioimd  lo  iiicci    i  I  s  dcina  nds. 

\\  f  !n'|i(\cd,  Il|oI'C(i\  cr,  llial  llir  ojM'lalioIl  nf  tln' 
l;i\  r.'(ri\  alilr-colllioll  fcMlun'  id"  iliai  liill  WMuld 
pi'iiNi*   del  i-iiiii'iiial    lo    ilif   Iioi    iiiii'i-i>i  s   of    \'ii"- 

Uilli;i.       'I'lic    s^If-(•\^'(•llIiIl^•    collliDll     was    the    IlKlill 

nlisiarli-  in  the  wav  id'  snrli  a  sri  i  liMiimi  i>\'  llic 
(|Mi'>iiMn  ;is  wiiuld,  in  iiiv  niiiiMMii.  Ill'  jusi  and 
ii|  n  iiidilf  I  o  hot  li  ili'Uh  ir  and  crcdii  m-. 

••  'Idii'  ('oiii-l  iif  Ali|ic;ils  lijid  di-ridrd  lli;it  \'ir- 
uini;!  \\;is  lionnd  liv  an  irrr|)i';d;di|r  riinii-;iri  lo 
riTiMNi'  ilii-M'  ciiniHins  in  inivnioni  nf  .-ill  [luMir 
ihii-v.  Iliairr  till'  (|iir<iion  1 1  o  \\  \\  i  ■  nmld  nluain 
ii-lii'f  friini  ilicsi-  pockfi  fxccni  ioii<.  iind  imt  mir- 
si-|\cs  in  a  r;i\or;dili'  jmsiiion  to  srrni'c  r(|niialdi* 
liTiiis  fi-oiii    ilir   holders  (d   \' i  i';j,i  11  ia    lunids   wiih- 

I'tll     i-MMMnLr    in    eonlliet     willl     ihe    deeisiiin     id'    mUI' 

hiL:!ii>i   eiMiiMs.  was  a   dillienli   une  in  iinswi'i".      I 

li.ld  ix  III  iW  ]edL;e  of  f.-lets  which  illlpeHed  nie  In  h('- 
lie\e  ili;il  ^ei-i(iils  t'rMllds  conhh  Mild  mIiihisI  eiT- 
l;iin]\'  irni/h!.  he  eoililiiilled  ;ii;"ainsl  I  he  Sl:ile 
iiidi'^^  |iroiM-i'  steps  wei-e  lalsi'ii   to  irii;ird  ;iii';iiii>-t 

ihelil.  Millinns  of  dolh-irs  "if  honds.  e.ieh  holld 
hiiNiiiL''  ei'iipiiiis  ;ill;iehed  to  it  ;niiiMin(  inii'  lo 
iwiec  ;is  niueh  ;is  the  hmid  il-^i-lf.  .■ind  whieh 
iiillhl  hi-  lived  h\  ;iny  one  who  eiiiild  U'i'l  hohl 
i^{     llli'Ill.     Wrpe     lyini;'     in     WiMidell      [irr<-.e-<     in     ilie 

'i'l'i'.' ^Mfi-r'^  iitliei'.  'I'he  hoiie^iN  nf  MtlieiaN  was 
the  Mid\    '^11:1  iMiil  \-    ihe   S!;ile   hiid    ;!  l;:i  i  II --I    Hh-  ;d»- 

Sl  r;iel  imi  ;inil  ll^e  nf  iheve  IllillinlK  id  i 'i  1 1 1  [  ii  1 11 --. 
'•  The^e  II  111  |ii  ill^  Wrre  jierfee!  .'ind  iMlilIihie. 
Thii^i'  whieh  !liil!'hl  he  eli]ilieil  frmii  llie  hmiiN 
whieji  h.id  Ilnl  heeii  i^slli'd  enllld  he  .'IS  n';lilil\- 
ii--eil  in  ihi'  [i.-iynieiil  nf  jaihlie  diirs  ;is  ihove  i;iken 


-T}'2     AidfthiofinipJii/    of    John    E.    Massry 

from  bonds  which  liad  boon  issued  conbl.  Tax- 
(•olh'ctors  had  ii(>  -way  of  distin^uisliiiii^  the  one 
fiom  the  oilier — the  spurious  from  tlie  <j:eniiine. 
Moreover,  tlie  jtlates  from  wliich  tliey  were  iiKuh* 
wei'e  still  in  existence  and  in  the  hands  of  a 
Northern  coni]»an_v,  which  conld,  if  they  cliose, 
make  millions  moi'e  of  them. 

"  A.Lcain,  these  conjions  were,  in  my  opinion, 
liable  to  be  connterfeited.  The  re])ort  of  the 
special  committee  of  the  Ilonse  of  I)elei;ates  '  aj)- 
pointed  (in  18S0)  to  examine  the  ])ooks  and  vain- 
able  ])a])ers  in  the  Second  Auditor's  Oltice ' 
sliows  that  this  opinion  was  not  without  reason. 
Tt  says:  'Our  inv(>stit!:ation  also  brinns  to  liiz:ht 
the  astound in,ir  f;i<*t  that  some  cou])ons  have 
passed  throu,2:h  the  ofiice  which  have  no  face  oi* 
bond  Tiund)ei',  and  tlie  presum]>tion  is  very 
stroncT,  in  the  opinion  of  youi'  rommilfe(\  that 
these  coupons  are  counterfeits,  aiid  the  con]>on 
syst(Mn  is  lia])le  to  c^ross  violation  by  counter- 
feit inir.  AVe  submit  this  fact,  and  be<j::  to  call 
yoiii'  attention  to  the  vast  extent  to  which  the 
State  may  sufl'ei'  liy  such  imposition.' 

''After  maturely  consid(U'in;LJi:  the  difficulty 
which  environed  the  subj(^ct  the  most  feasil)le 
jdan  1  could  devis(^  for  meeting:  them  ANas  not  to 
deny  the  ]-eceivability  of  crni pojis.  bnt  to  j>i*o- 
\ide  1>y  law  that  no  |)a|UM'  pni'jtoi't  iiu::  ^<>  be  a 
coujion  should  be  T'eceived  by  any  tax-collector 
until  it  had  been  ])T'(n-ed  1o  Ix'  '  n('Tiiiin(\'  T. 
thei'cfon',  pT'e])ared  a  bill,  which  T  pi-csented  in 
tlic  House  of  DclcLTatf's  on  ihe  Ith  of  T'^ebruarv, 
1S7K  Mo  jn-cvcnt  coiintci'feit  or  improjici'ly  o1)- 
taincil  coiijtons  from  beini;  recei\-ed  in  ])aymciit 
of  faxes,  debts,  dues,  and  demands  due  tlie  State." 

'•  About  ten  <lays  after  Ihe  inti'oduct  ion  of  this 


U  hn   S.  III.  .1  Ih,     Shil,     h,l,l  .' 


iiill  (lie  l(';,Mslat  (ire  \\;is  ciillcd  u]hiii  to  invcsti- 
u;ii"'  «li;ir,ut's  uf  ilic  ;il»si  f;i(t  imi  of  Iioiids  and 
(•ou[ioiis  fi-iiiii  till'  itasciiiciit  of  the  ('ajtitol.  Al- 
tlioiiudi  llir  facts  (l('\cIi>jH'(|  tiy  iliat  in\ est  i^Mi  ioii 
showed  that  iiiv  fears  had  hccii  \\(dl  LTfouiidrd. 
and  that  the  iiicasui-cs  which  I  |iro|M)sc(l  wci'c 
iiccc>sai-\  and  |)i-oi»cf.  I  met  with  so  litih-  cii- 
coiifau'ciiirm  that  I  iic\('f  ]ircsv.'d  for  a  \(itf 
iilK'ii  the  hill  dui-iiiix  that  session.  (  Mi  the  sev- 
enth day  <if  the  session  ( d"  isTI-'To  1  aLfain  of- 
fered my  lull,  which  became  known  t  lii'oiiLrhoiit 
the   Slate  as  '  1 'arson    .Massey's   ("onjion    r.ill." 

"It  i)ro\  ided  that  w  lieiie\er  State  lioiids,  with 
Ia\-recei\;i1ile  coupons  attached  ihel-elo,  shouhl 
l>e      I)Iesenie(l      1 1  \-      the     holders     lliere(d".     of     their 

ai^'eiits,  to  the  Secretary  of  the  ( "oiiiiiioii  w  ea  li  h. 
he  should  write  on  those  coupons  which  had 
///'/////•''/and  II I II  III  III  I  ()l  In  rs ,  the  w  ord  '  ( i  i  n  ni  lu  .' 
and  atlix  ihei-eio  his  siinialnre  and  the  date  of 
endorsement . 

"  It  pro\  ideil,  further,  that  no  pajier  /'///■//"//■ 
/'//'/   to   lie  a    conpiui.   hut    which    had    not    the   en 

dol-semelil  of  the  Secretary  of  ihc  ('oliiliioii 
Wealth,  should  he  i'ecei\ed  //x  a  coupon  hy  Ia\ 
col  lecl  lU'S. 

"  'i'llis   hill    was   liefol'e    the    |[(Hlse   ;|s   ;i    •  special 

and  coiiiinuiiiL''  oi'der  '  for  a  numliei'  of  da\s, 
and    w;is  earnestly   and    elalHU-aiely    di^cu^^ed. 

'•  < 'olonel    I'ulkei'son,   who   w;is  one  aiiioicj   the 
tir^i    K'e;id  iu>-ters.  atid    who  nexcr   f;illered    in   his 
de\oiion  to  their  |U'im-ip|es,  hut    wa<  al\\;i\--  con 
sisieni    and     pei-sisieni     in    their    ;id\or;i(\.    <up- 
jioried    it    eiirnesily   hy  Itoth   speech   ;ind    \oie. 

••  K'idd  lelieriier.  who  now  claims  die  cicclii  of 
ha\in'j:  (U'iLrinaied   the  idea  of  i-cipiirinLT  the  uen- 

uincness     of    coUj>ons     to    he     ]U'o\ed     lufore     iheV 


254     AntohiOijniplnj    of    John    K.    Mcn^svy 

can  be  received,  was  one  of  its  fiercest  opposers, 
and  made  one  of  liis  cliaract eristic  speeches 
against  it.  Four  recorded  votes  were  taken  upon 
the  bill — first,  to  lay  it  on  tlie  table;  second,  to 
('iiu:ross  it;  third,  to  reconsider  the  vote  by  which 
it  was  ordered  and  eni:;rossed  ;  and  fourth,  njjon 
its  final  passa,u:e.  (See  House  .lournal  of  ses- 
sion 1874-'Tr),  ])a,<;es  245,  241),  and  25(). )  On  each 
occasion  Riddleberger  and  Jud'^e  I>.  W.  Lacy 
voted  ajxainst  it. 

"Opposition  to  ev(^ry  practical  step  in  favor 
of  I{(Nidjustnient  was  ]>('rsisted  in  for  more  than 
two  years  after  tlie  defeat  of  '  Parson  Massey's 
Oou])on  T?ill  '  by  the  men  who  now  claim  to  have 
been  the  especial  advocates  of  Keadjustment. 

'' Tn  March,  1S77,  the  liichmond  \Vhi(j.  tlieu, 
as  now,  (leneral  ^fahone's  orjxan — the  uttfM'er 
of  his  thoujj:hts — champioiuMl  tlie  bondholders' 
cause  so  earn(^stly  that  it  advocaled  taxinu: 
'whiskey  and  dou's,'  to  pay  the  interest  due  on 
them. 

''Its  objection  to  the  iMindinu-  Hill  of  1S71 
was  not  that  it  unduly  bunhMied  l(i.rj)<ii/(  rs  and 
did  tJif)i)  injustice,  but  tliat  it  was  unjust  to 
h'DiiJJtoldcrs.  It  said  in  one  of  its  editorials: 
'This  act,  uj)on  the  })art  of  tlie  State,  was  an 
arltiti'ary  one.  Sh<'  sai<l  to  the  helitless  cretl- 
itop:  Take  the  bond  olTei'e(l  for  y(Mii'  delit,  re- 
duced one-third,  and  tlie  interest  shall  be  ])aid 
jiunctually;  if  not.  you  sliall  be  |»ai(l  nothiiii:. 
As  jiidiie  and  jury,  the  State  deteianiiUMl  the 
ease.  The  creditor  had  no  o])ti(Ui  1nit  to  accept 
the  terms  or  to  I'etain  the  repudiated  oi'i^inal 
bon<l.'' 

"These  men  and  theii'  jiarasites  never 
esjtoused    the   cause    of    IJeadjustment,   but    jier- 


W  In,  S<  tlh  ,1  Hi.    SInh    Ih  hi .' 


sisii'iillv  (»]»jt(is('(l  il  until  its  iiuiin  Imttlcs  Ii;i<l 
Ix'cii  foiiuiit,  its  (iiKil  succrss  h.iil  Imm-u  assure*], 
au'l  tlicv  saw  a  chance  to  use  it  for  ilieir  own 
jiersoual  and  sellisli  ends.  \oi-  can  it  lie  shown 
that  they  e\er  oriu'ina  led  one  iinpofiani  i(h'a  in 
connection  with  it.  \r\  they  now  assume  the 
/■()/'  of  hoth  h'a<h-fs  atid  dictators,  aixl  seem  to 
exj)ect  K'eadjusters  ti>  fidlow  ihein  Idindly  w  hei-- 
e\ci"  they  1 1 'ad.  and  to  siduiiii  u  n(|  nest  ion  i  nirly 
to  theii-  dictation.  I  ha\t'  no  devifr  ti>  depi'i\t' 
these  men  of  any  honor  lo  \\hi(di  thi'y  may  he 
entithMJ.  I  wouhl  Sooner  u'ive  them  leiit'old  m<u-e 
than  the,\'  (h'sefxc  than  to  wiihhidd  ffom  them 
tlie  smalji'si  fi'action  which  ma\-  he  due  thian. 
Let  them  ha\i'  full  ci'cdit  f(U-all  they  ha\e  (huie 
and  foi-  all  they  (daim  to  lia\'e  done.  Let  ihem 
ha\c  all  llie  hoiKw  <d'  ha\inu'  x<tlh<l  tin  (hht.  if 
you  choose.  I.et  them  elljoy  the  cl'tMlit.  if  that 
will  satisfy  them,  of  ha\ini:'  oi'iLrinaied  the  idea<. 
foiaiiulaied  the  {dans,  and  foui:'hi  the  haitles  of 
IJead  jus!  Mient .  Hut  when  they  |U'esume  upo". 
these  spUfiolls  (daims  to  decei\t'  hoiiesl  L'cad 
Ju^Ief^.     and      make     them     lielieNC     that      the     delu 

ipirviinn  is  still  an  is>ue  in  N'iruinia  e|eciioM>. 
oi-  that  ilii'y  a  I'e  eniiiled  to  special  contidi-nc 
and  uM'aiiinde  for  past  seiw  ices.  >o  ihal  !he\  may 
lead  ihfiii  into  the  Kepiddican  camp.  e\ci\ 
!  )rmi  H-i'a  I  ic  and  < 'onsciw  a  I  i  \  e  IJrad  Ju-^i  la-  should 
ri'ji-ci  and  i^xpov,.  ihi-se  spurious  ;iml  ah-^un! 
claims.  ;iii.|  fffusi-  ;iny  fufihrr  ci  cupia'a  I  ion  wiiii 
t  In  ise   w  hd  asvriM    I  hem. 

••  Tie  Te   is    mi   sihh    thiie^'as   maiiralii\    in    ihi- 
IJLihl.      I'm  h  and  cxcry   man  musi   diM-id''  I'or  him 
Self  to   which    pai-i\    Im  liehmu<.      The   line   is  ,|i- 
I  inci  ly  di-a  w  n       I  )emocc;it  s  on  luie  sj,],.  >,(  ji ,  ;ni  ! 
IJi'puld  ica  lis   on    the   other.      Not    decent,    Lfnit.'! 


2r)G     Aiilohiofjniplij/    of    John    JL    .lAr/.s.sv;?/ 

ri(^])n1)li('aTis,  l)nt  Artliur-^Ialiono-Slalwart-roali- 
t  ioii-K'cpublicans— iiicn  wlio  arc  not  l{('])iil)li('aiis 
from  jJi-iiK-iplc,  bnt  as  inalUM*  of  (radc  and  bai'- 
tcr;  iiu'ii  Mitlioiit  cliaractci-  and  inllucncc, 
'ajiostatc's  for  llic  ])ri(('  of  their  ai)ostacv." 
"  Very  rcsjx'ct  fnlly, 

''  John  K.  Massev. 
"Asli  Lawn,  April  2,  18S3." 


('iiAi''ri:K   XX I \' 

Cir.KIINATnlMAI,  CoN  VKNIK  i.\   A  Mm  A  N  \  ASS  i  H'    ISSC, 

PuKiu  to  tlic  ( Jiihcriiaioi-ial  coiucin 'mui  in  l>sr» 
(»iir  (if  the  ( 'liarloi  ics\  illi-  |»aiH-rs  jmlilislifd  tin- 
f  I  •  1 1  ( I  w  i  1 1  ij, : 

"  Xdw  iliat  llic  ]M'((|il('  of  our  Stall'  arc  look- 
iiiLT  aroiiud  fop  a  man  (if  cxiici-iciicc  and  aldlily 
in  Siaii-  jKililics  f(ir  candidaic  fdi-  (oiNciiior  for 
lilt'  1  >cnio(  r;it  ic  jiaiav.  luv  mind  lias  ini-nf(l  td 
(Mil-  (li>l  inuuislicd  connlvman  a^  ih.-  nnist  suit- 
aide  man  Id  the  iidsiiion  in  llicsc  ii-dulddns 
limes.      In   e\ci-y   jiosiiioii   lo   which    he   has  heen 

e|e(Ie(l  UIonI  failllful  and  etlicienl  selAJceS  lia\(' 
l»een      l-emleli-d      -as      I  ie|  i  loe  U  I  a  I  i  \  ( •.     ol'     SenaldT, 

and  as  Audilur  df  I'uldie  Accdunis;  nml  ilieii 
many.  \(ry  many  n\'  his  fellow -cduniv  men  i^raie- 
fully    and    adndrinuiy    rememWei'    his    nuiny    re- 

fus;il>    Id    suhmil     lo    ihe    dictates    of    '    [loss"     .M  a  ■ 

lioiie.  and  his  [lalfiotic  and  |iersisient  o|i]iosi- 
lion  to  iiailis;in  le^islat  ion.  which  had  heen  die- 
laied  h,\  ihe  r.os^.  and  a(lo[ite(l  hy  his  IcLii^la  I  i\  c 
adhei-eiits  ;ind  tooN.  and  which,  if  adopted  into 
law.  Would  lia\('  liui-ie(|  lie-  Slate  under  Ma  hone 
rule,  and  mi>fule.  for  \ears  lo  come.  .Mr.  .Mas- 
se\  "s  coiiiieciion  aiid  wofk  with  ihe  '{'>']•  j:  I'oiir' 
wa>  ihe  \w<^\  im|MM'taiit  work  of  ih.il  session  of 
the    le-i-lal  lire. 

••  I  feel  I  hat  .M  r.  .Mas^e\  is  eiil  it  Ie,l  to  ih.' 
nominaiioii  hy  the  I»emocraiic  pariv  foi-  (Io\cr- 
nor:  I'-t.  liecause  of  hi^  eminent  (pia  1  itica  t  idiis 
fdr  the   |idsiii(Ui,  es|iecially   at    this  time;  I'd,  lie- 


258      Autohio(/)-(ijiJii/    of    Joint     /:'.     Mdssrjj 

cnns;o   of  liis    inostiiiiabli'  sei-viccs    to    tlic   party 
and  to  tlie  Stale  of  Viruinia. 

"  A    VoTKR." 


Tlic  (ioodson  Dciiiovrnt  piiblislicd   the  follow- 


in  ir 


"  Suroly  no  DciiiocTat  in  <ho  State  is  more  de- 
servin*;  than  Mi'.  Massey  to  a  ]»lace  ujion  the 
Democrat  ie  ( Jnbernatoi-iai  ticket  tliis  fall,  and 
A\e  sincei-ely  lio])e  that  'Old  Man  Massi-y  *  will 
be  ])]aced  npon  that  ticket,  not  only  bccaiise  we 
think  he  deserves  to  be  ])laced  lliere.  but  that 
he  wonld  aibl  a  tower  of  strength  to  the  ticket, 
becanse  on  him  all  the  elements  of  the  Demo- 
cratic ])arty  can  l)e  muted  in  one  ui'eat  rally  for 
the  ticket."" 


I  was  solicited  to  become  a  candidate  for  nom- 
ination  l)y  citizens  of  otlier  counties  as  well  as 
my  (twii,  and  I  did  so.  My  own  county,  Albe- 
marle, sent  a  solid  deleu'ation  instructed  in  my 
behalf,  as  did  also  most  of  the  adjacent  counties. 

(leiieral  I'it/huirh  Lee.  ('oloiiel  I'hilip  W.  .Mc- 
Kinney.  and  I  wei'c  can(li<iates  for  nomination. 
I^acli  lia<l  li'rat  ifyiiiu'  supjHu-i.  ('icneral  Lee  was 
tioniinale(l.  The  (•on\-enli(Ui  sent  a  committee 
for('oloiiel  M(d<inney  and  myself.  I  was  in  bed 
and  asleep.  When  aroused  I  asked  to  be  ex- 
cused until  morniuii;.  and  1  was  soon  slee|)inL!; 
soundl.x'  aLTain. 

Tlic  next  day  as  soon  as  1  eiitci-ed  the  thea- 
tre, in  which  the  con\'enti(Ui  was  bein;:'  hehl.  I 
was  (a|]e(|  on  foi'  ;i  s])eecli.  and  I  i'espomle<|. 
<"olonc|  .McKinney.  who  was  one  of  the  best  and 
juirest    men    1    e\'er   knew,    was   also   one   of   the 


('<inr>  nil'in    mid    C'linrass    o/    l^"<i!       !2r)l> 

most  iiindcst.  lie  said  lie  did  imt  intend  to  «'X- 
liildt  liinisclf  as  a  defeated  eandiilate,  and  he 
took   his  seat    on   tlie  rear  of  ihe  stand. 

In  ehisini;  my   address,    I    turned    to   liini   and 
s;iid  : 

"t'iiiii<>   .III.    my    ].;ir'ii.r    in    ili-ti.'~-. 
Nt\'    r.iimacli'    thr('U<'!i    tlii-    \\  iM.-rn.--." 


The  aiij»hnise  tliat  followed  and  the  calls  niadc 
f(»r  hiiu   hrouiiht    him   to  the  front. 

1  had  heen,  and  was  airain.  iir^:e(l  to  take  th(* 
second    place  on    the  ticket,   hut    1    emjthat  icallv 

I'e  fused  to  do  so.  Not  \\  i  I  list  a  m  I  i  111:  my  JU'otest, 
the  \(ite  for  me  was  so  iieai'ly  unanimous,  when 
the  roll  was  hein^  calleil,  that  a  m(»tioii  was 
made,  and  enthusiastically  carrieil,  that  1  he 
nominated  hy  acclamat  ion. 

1  was  airain  called  on  f(U'  a  speech.  I  felt 
that  1  c(Mild  not  decline  so  tlatierini:  a  call.  I 
said  : 

"  W'e  ha\'e  heard  that  otlice  should  seek  the 
man,  and  not  man  the  ollice.  ^'ou  ha\t'  a  prac- 
tical illustration  of  it  to-day.  I  ha\e  said  to 
e\ei-y  man  who  has  sjiokeii  to  me  ahoiii  it  that  I 
in, nil/  iidI  (Kci  j,t  this  imiii  i  11(1 1  inn  ij  h  nil'  />(l  nif, 
and  I  NKinil  it;  hut  you  lia\'e  caiil  ured  nii-.  This 
diMiioiist  ra  t  ion  o\erwlielms  me.  I  iherefoi'e  ac- 
cept your  iioiiiina  t  i(Ui,  and  will  work  earnestly 
for  the  vuccess  of  Nolir  ticket.  \  n\\  must  ex- 
cuse me  from  saying  iiku'c.  I  made  my  speech 
this  morning;." 

.\  man  in  the  irallery  calh-d  out.  "  And  a  d  — n 
^ood   oiie  at    that." 

I  re|ilied,  ••  i;\ce|it  im;  your  explei  i\.',  1  accej)t 
the    compliment." 


iMIO     Aniohlnijraphji    of    John    }■].    Masftri/ 

llonoi-able  Iviifiis  A.  Avers  was  nominated  for 
Atloi-ney-deneral. 

Jolin  S.  Wis(^  was  Malione's  candidate  for 
(Jovt'i-nor;  Clint.  Wood,  foi-  Li(Mit('nant-(  iover- 
nor.  and  Fi'ank  S.  Hlair,  foi-  Attorncv-Cieneral. 
lie  was  then  Attornev-deneral. 

Onr  first  ap])ointin('nl  for  sjx-akin.i,^  was  at 
1 'ail-fax  Court  House.  I  exjx'ctcd  (lenei-al  Lee 
to  o])en  tlie  eanvass,  but  sickness  in  his  family 
]irc\('nt('d  him  fi'om  doini:;  so,  and  the  duty  de- 
volved u])on  me. 

On  my  way  I  was  introduced  to  IJev.  Dr. 
Xelsiui,  i-ector  of  the  l^|)isco]»al  Church  at  Wnv- 
renton.  lie  told  me  iliat  some  of  his  fi'iends 
wci'e  surjtrised  at  his  ijoin^"  to  hear  me  s|)eak, 
as  he  was  so  ojijiosed  to  me  when  I  met  ('ajitain 
Shei)i>ei'd  in  A\'arrenton.  *' '  So  1  was.'  1  told 
them,""  he  continued,  ""and  hut  foi'  Mr.  Mas- 
sex's  pleasant  manner  1  should  have  l)een  xciy 
aiiury  willi  him,  hut  I  tind  he  is  the  most  con- 
sistent ])olitician  I  cNcr  knew,  lie  has  persist- 
ently advocated  measures  wjiich  the  Democratic 
(tai-ty  most  hitlei-jy  (»])jtosed,  and  he  has  heeii 
more  ahused  than  any  man  in  N'ii'U'inia,  lii'st  by 
I)emocrals.  and  then  by  .Mahoueiies;  yet  he  has 
ne\('r  cliauLiCfj  his  i^round  or  waxcred  in  his 
course.  All  parties  now  beiiexc  that  he  is  rii:ht  ; 
and  thiise  who  most  bitterly  o])posed  and  dt'- 
nounced  iiim  lia\e  ^-one  to  him,  and  ai'c  coi-diallv 
and   earnestly  sui)p<iri  inij,'  him.'"' 

At  ihe  coiiclnsion  <if  my  speech  he  inli-oduced 
iw(t  otJM'i'  ch'i-i:ymeii  to  me,  sayini;.  '•  \'ou  are 
]iot    without    the  benetit    of  the  clergy   to-day." 

(lelieral  Lee  and  1  spoke  toiXether  but  feW" 
times  (jiiriim-  iln'  canxass.  When  we  did.  lai-^e 
imiimImts  of  peoph'  would   meet    lis  with  bauds  <jf 


('()nv(  nllon    (Did    ('inir<iss    of    /SSt!        L'til 

iiiiisic,  a  cari-iauc  foi-  me.  aii<l  a  tine  horse,  ^''it- 
(■rallv  an  "  ciil  ire,"   for  him. 

.Ml'.  Avfi's  and  I  iaii\asst'(l  .^oui  h\\  fsl  \'irLcini;i 
luui-ihcr.  ()iir  tirsi  apiKiim  iiimt  was  at  W'sthc- 
\\\\('.  We  wci'c  iiici  liv  a  \ri-v  hii'irc  amliciu-c  of 
liolh  hitlics  aiitl  ut'iii  h'liicii.  (Ini.  .laiiics  A. 
Walker  and  .Maj.  -lohn  W.  I>anicl  wen-  on  the 
stand  with  tis,  hut   neithei'  of  them  spoke. 

1  was  inti-odiu'ed  hv  a  .Mr.  ("i-ocket,  a  voiini; 
lawyei".  The  lifst  ]iafl  of  his  ini  i-odnct  ion  was 
ext  raxa^-ant  ly  enh>u'ist  ic  Anionic  othei-  e.\ti-a\- 
au'ant'ii's  he  said  lie  was'-^oin^io  ini  podiiif  t  he 
only  man  in  X'iruinia  who  could  make  and  un- 
make parties,  (he  man  that  made  Hilly  .Mahone, 
and  the  oidy  man  that  eon  hi  kill  him.  I*>ui  this 
man  is  the  Atlas  nf  \'ii-L:inia.  Iia\iiiu  iiku-c  sins 
on  his  shoulders  than  any  other  man  in  the 
Slate. ■■ 

W'lirn  I  arose  I  was  greeted  with  llatierin^ 
ajiplause.      1    .said  : 


'•  1- ellow -cit  i/eiis  :  I  hilly  appreeia  ir  your 
cordial  iireeiini:,  and  I  wish  1  cnidd  I'ciuin  it 
with  cdiiipitund  inlcresi.  1  hope  I  |uop(ily  aji- 
prccialr  Ihr  tlai  i  criiiLi:  inlroduciioii  I  lia\i'  had, 
lull  my  loo  partial  friend  irixi's  mc  iiioic  credit 
than  I  claim.  I  do  H'M  claim  to  he  aide  to  make 
ami  unmake  parlies;  neither  do  I  claim  to  lia\i' 
made    (leiieral    .\lahiuie.    liowe\er    much    he    may 

look     like     (Ule     of     m_\      IkiIcIi      joh^.         i '.  U  I  .     if     I      did 

make  him.  I  relie\ed  ihe  .Mmiuhiy  of  a  Lireai 
re^poiivilii  lily :  uciiher  do  I  w  i^h  \'>  Li'll  him. 
lull  I  propose.  Iiy  the  IdessiiiL:  of  (idd.  ami  the 
help  id'  I  he  ;^ood  pfojde  of  \'iruiiiia.  lo  luirx  him 
so  deep  p(diiically  thai  he  will  iie\cr  he  resur- 
I'ected. 


L'lil!      .[  iiI'jIi'khii'h jili jj    of    Joliii     /;.    Mdssci/ 

"My  friend  says  I  am  the  Atlas  of  Viri^inia, 
liaviiiL:,-  iiKiiH'  sins  on  my  slioiildcrs  tlian  any  man 
in  tlic  Stale.  If  that  be  so,  I  am  also  the  most 
forlunale  man  in  ^'iI',L!;inia.  1  have  been  met  by 
ihe  urandest  and  most  niai^naninions  army  this 
lii-and  old  v^tate  ran  muster.  This  army  has  mot 
me  with  nn])r()ken  ranks  and  has  said,  'Mr.  Mas- 
sey,  we  will  l»e  your  seapeii:oat.  We  will  take 
your  sins  u])on  (Uir  shoulders,  and  you  shall  no 
longer  be  i-es]tonsible  for  them.'  "' 

.Majoi-  Daniel,  who  was  sittin,u^  behind  me,  said 
to  (Jeneral   W'alkei',  "That   is  so." 


As  Ml'.  Ayers,  his  driver,  a  Mi*.  Coman,  and  I 
were  li'oinjj;  from  Lebanon,  in  Kussell  County,  to 
(Mint  wood,  in  Dickenson  County,  in  a  double- 
seated,  toj»less  carria.U'e,  ^^■e  met  with  an  aeci- 
dent.  When  we  were  on  a  stee])  mountainside 
that  ran  jtrecipitously  from  the  I'oad  to  a  stream 
beb)\\,  1  saw  the  carriaL:.'!'  was  about  to  U])S(4. 
I  ilii-ew  myself  as  fai*  to  the  u|)])ei'  side  as  I 
(•i)iild  to  preN'ent  it.  I  did  not  ju-excnt  it,  how- 
e\('i',  but  j)laeed  myself  in  the  most  unt"av(U-able 
jiosition.  1  was  i)itclie(l  head  foi'emosl,  my  head 
stiMick  ihe  uround  aliout  ten  feet  fi-om  the  road, 
and  iilei-ally  |dou,ulie(l  llie  ground  a  distance  of 
foity  feet.  My  arm  came  in  contact  with  a  sa])- 
liiiu'.  and  I  clniiL!,"  to  it.  My  hat  was  j)resse(l  over 
my  face  when  my  head  struck  the  i^n'ound,  and 
partially   pi'olected   it. 

When  I  was  sulbciently  recovei'ed  fi'om  the 
shock  to  tak<'  in  the  situation,  I  saw  a  pile  of 
I'ocl^s  jiisl  befoi-e  iiie,  and  a  ri\-ei"  a  few  feet 
beyond  tlieni.  jtlood  w  as  di'i]ij)in,Lr  from  my  face 
upon    the   I'ocks,    and    .Mi'.    Coinan    was   dancing 


( 'mi i-t  II li'ni  ii.iil  <'i!iii-'i\^  !•!   /v'v/;        L'l;:; 


nrdiind.  s;i\iiiir:  "I.oi'dy!  I.Mpdy!  lie  is  dfinl, 
lii^  ih'ck   is  linikfii!      \\'li;ii   ^li.ijl    wi-  do?" 

Ill-  \\;i>-  .iImhii  III  imi  his  li.iiid  iiiidri'  my  lir;iil. 
I    <;iid.    ••   I. (I    lilt'    lie    si  ill    a    lil  I  \r    w  liilc." 

.My   I'aci'  was  so  liadly  skimn'd  and  mi    ijiat    it 

liHikrd     ri-iL;llI  fill.        No    Mile    flsr     was    lilll'l.        Afl<T 

hailiinu'   my    facr   we  ri'siinicd    diii'    iniiriiry. 

I'lHiii  (iiir  airi\al  ai  <  "lim  w  dud  \\i-  wci-c  iin't 
liy  a  ^iMidly  cidwd.  Tlify  Mciin'd  In  lir  a!iia/.c(l 
at  my  apjM'ara  iicc.  I  cxpla  iind  mil-  d  isa^iri-.  and 
said  III  I  In  Mil  ilia  I  my  mind  and  my  loiiLriir  had 
imi    siiricird   SM   hadly   llial    I    cMiild   imt    siicak.   if 

lli('\      W  Mil  Id     eh  ISC    I  heir    eyes    a  lid     It 'lid     llif    lllfir 

fai-~.  I  mailf  my  s|M-ffli,  Init  wa^  aliiinsi  hflp 
It'-^s  \'i<v  >f\fi-al  tiays  a  fi  fpw  a  nl.  \r\  I  aNfraLTfil 
six  s[ifci  lifs  ami  a  sfniuni  cMTy  Wft-k  I  wa>  in 
llif   faii\a^<. 

Ai  iiiif  iif  my  a|i|i(iiiit  iiifiii  s  a  slialildly  ilrfssftl 
man  iriftl  Id  prfjinlift'  thf  plain  pt'ti|ih'  aLTainsl 
llif  hy  i-fffn-im:'  in  my  tli-fs^. 

••  .Mr.  .Mas^fN."  saitl  hf.  "  has  im  sy!ii|iailiy  ftU" 
lalMirin^-    pfuplr.      Lnnk    Imw    Im   is  t!  ri'svnl."" 

In  i-fplx.  I  .^aiil  :  '•  .My  mnilhT  laiiulii  iiif  iliat 
I  mi|vi  wear  my  Im-si  i-ImiIicv,  and  In-liaxi-  my 
Ih'nI,  w  hfii  I  alli'iitl  fliiiiiji,  a  WfddinL:'.  m-  a 
fiim-ra  1.  Si  iiff  I  Irfi  licmu'  I  ha  \  ^  a  i  imidi'il 
(■liiii-fli  ami  a  wt-ddinL:'.  ami  I  am  n^w  lui-f  in 
|i|-iaf|i  ihf  iifiil  Ifiiia  n's  [itililical  fiiiifral.  Ilf 
^liMiild.  I  liiTcfiirf.  fiid  fMiiipli  mniii-tl  li_\  my  lia\- 
i  irj;  I  in    m  \    hf^l    a  p|ia  I'fl." 

.\i  (lilfv  ('miiii  llmisi'  an  f\  tirtiiii  iinlL^c. 
wliii  hat!  if-imu'd  lii--  iiiili:'i"-li  i  p  In  axnid  im- 
pcaiji  mi'ii  I  lii't-aiivi'  ,,\'  hlv  ili  vvi  |  u  i  ion.  --aid  In  iiif 
I  ha  I  if  I  w  niihl  un  III  I  hr  fhiinli  ima  r  li\  and 
jirfath.  I  cniild  thi  mmh  imii-i'  '_:iiMd  ihan  I  tniihl 
ih>  hy    makiiiLr  a    pnliiiial   vpttch.      I    Inhl    him    it 


2G4     Auiolnogruiihij    of    John   E.    Mas.scij 

would  <xive  me  ploai^iiiv  to  proacli  there  on  any 
suitable  occasion,  but  that  I  was  accustouied  to 
nieetin«j:  my  en^ajxenu'nts ;  that  1  had  an  appoint- 
ment to  si»cak  there  that  day;  that  a  ij^oodly 
nund)er  of  peo})le  had  come  to  hear  me,  and  that 
I  must  not  disap])oint  them. 

"Well/"  said  he,  "I  don't  believe  in  mixing 
j)olitics  and  reliii'ion,  anyway." 

"  I  do,"  I  replied,  ''  provided  yon  mix  them 
rigiit.  ]My  motto  is  never  put  ])olitics  in  your 
rcliijion;  you  can't  im])rove  reli.u'ion  by  any  ad- 
mixture; but  ])ut  as  much  religion  in  your  ])ol- 
itics  as  ])ossible — the  uiore  the  better.  I  some- 
tim(\s  illustrate  it  this  way:  A  man  should 
never  ]>ut  whiskey  in  his  water;  water  is  more 
healthful  and  beneficial  as  it  couies  from  na- 
tui'c's  lal)oi-atory  than  it  can  l)e  made  by  any 
aduiixtnre;  but,  if  he  irill  drinl:  whiskey,  ]»ut  as 
much  water  in  it  as  jtossiblc — diown  out  the 
very  .v;//r//  of  it  I  " 

The  crowd  that  had  ^'athercd  Ix'ii'an  to  cheer, 
an<l    the  ex-judii'e  left. 

The  Iicadjustcr  rcjji'csciitat  ivc  of  Cai-i'oll 
('ounty  was  an  Ant  i-iiiissioii  Uaplist  jjicachcr. 
lie  iM'camc  OTIC  of  .Maliouc's  couuly  jiidiics.  I 
had  ail  apjioint  iiicnt  to  s|)('ai<  at  ('arroll  Court 
House  oil  .Monday,  and  I  wrote  to  this  .Maliouc 
juilu'c,  rc(|ucst  iiiu"  liiiii  to  mal\c  an  ajtpointmciit 
for  me  to  preach  on  SiiiKbiy.  lie  rei»lie(i  on  a 
jiostal  cai'd  in  most  l)itter  teiiiis;  chariicd  ni.' 
with  defeat  iiiij,'  measures  tliat  had  l»een  aii'i'eed 
ujion  in  the  lei^islat  i\-e  cauciis;  and  said  lie  wouhl 
make  no  ajijioint  nieiil  for  such  a  traitor  as  I 
was. 

The  pastor  of  the  Presliyterian  Church,  hear- 
ing  that    1    was   in   town,  called  on   me,  and   in- 


< '(III !( lit '<>)!  I'll'!  <  'III I  as.-;  (if  issi;        !*(;."► 

vitt'd  iiif  l<»  j)rc;icli  fi>r  him.  I  <li<l  so,  and  cn- 
ji»\  I'd   t  lit-  sfr\  ii'c. 

An  a»ii\('  (an\ass  was  niadf  I>_v  liotli  sides, 
hut  there  were  n<»  .j<»inl  diseussiolis  lietwcen  the 
(i|ilHisin;,'  eamlidal es. 

The    l)einoeraiie    ticket     was    eh-eled    h_V    aliollt 

I'OJMIO   iiiajoritv. 


niAPTFj:  XXV 

IJi:rTEXANT-(i()VKUX()U 

Wk  wvvr  u^ivoTi  a  i,n';ni(l  joccpt  ioii  a(  Saniicr's 
Hall  the  iiiiiln  before  the  inaii<iurali()n.  (!cii- 
cral  !>('('  aiul  .Mrs.  Lee  and  T  stood  iij)oti  llie 
]»lairoi'iii  and  shook  hands  with  the  thousands 
that  j)assed  ai'onnd.  ]\rrs.  I.ee  bore  the  oi'(h'al 
and  aciiiiitted  hei'self  admirably  until  neai*  the 
close.  She  then  liecaiiii^  exhausted,  fainted,  and 
had  to  be  taken  froiu  the  liall.  1  shook  hands 
until  luv  wrist  was  swollen  and  my  hand  was 
almost    helpless. 

The  inauiiui-alion  was  sim])le  and  unostenta- 
tious. We  were  escoi'ted  to  the  (b'sk  of  the  clei'k 
of  the  House  of  l)eh\u'ates.  lion.  L.  L.  Lewis, 
ri'esideut  of  the  Court  of  Appeals.  aduiiuistei'e(l 
the  oath  of  oftice.  and  ^^('  entered  at  once  upon 
oui"  respect  i\-e  dut  ies. 

r.ciieial  l.ee  was  a  faitliful.  able.  j)ainstaisiu,i^. 
and  etbcient  (JoNcruor.  always  \\atchful  of  the 
Slate's  interest,  and  was  xcvy  p(>])ular  with  all 
classes. 

I  ]>l-eaclied  in  the  Ul-oad  Street  .Methodist 
Cliurch  the  Sunday  after  my  iuauuurat  i<ui.  .\ 
SeiiaI(U-.  who  was  iliere,  came  to  me  the  next 
(lay.  and,  with  seeminu"  perplexity,  aske(l  me  if 
e\ei'  I)cf(ire  a  (;o\'ei'nor  av  Lieut  euaiit -<  loNciiior 
of  \'iri:inia  had  pi'ea(died  afici'  his  inauuurai  ion. 
I  i-epiicd:  •• 'I'liey  m'\ci'  did.  I  am  ilie  only 
minisiri'  of  ijie  (oispel  that  e\-er  Indd  llie  oflice; 
but  if  I  wci'e  l*i-esiden1  of  the  Luited  StalfS,  I 
should    feel    lliat    I    had  a  slill   lii.u'her  ol1i<-e,  an<l 

26() 


I.'u  ntriuint-Cnn  nior 


i'»;7 


should  |irc;irli  whiTicvcr  I  liad  ;tii  (ipiiominitv  to 
do  s(»." 

The  SfiKitr  \\;is  a  viTv  i III t'l I iLTciil  and  or- 
derly  liody,  and    I   ('iijovcd   iin-sidiiii;  <i\,'r  it. 

Tlic  (|ii('stion  of  an  cMfa  srssiun  id'  tjit-  jc^is- 
latniT  came  nji  dni'inir  the  winin-  (d'  jssi;,  jm,! 
in  f('U"<"ii'd  tu  it  1  wrote  the  fidjuwiim-  j.-firr  to 
t  he  editor  of  i  he  /hsimtch  : 


".      .      .      As     I     lia\e    llid'ofe    stated.      I     brJirNC    ail 

extra  session  is  iieeessarv  lo  i^iiard  ](i'M[M'i'l  \'  aiiil 

lo    pl'iitect     the     llinst     ilil|iorIailI     illleresls    of     I  he 

State;  and.  if  held.  1  \\t>\)r  all  will  nuiie  tiiL;fi  her. 
and  work  toLrfher.  with  an  eye  sinule  in  the  he>i 
interests  of  the  whole  Stale,  and  Iea\e  party 
strifes  Itehind    theiii. 

••The  State  (lel)t  is  the  iiiosl  inipoilaiil  suli- 
Jeel  which  will  he  liefore  the  leu'ivla  I  11  Pe.  j  aill 
friMpieiilly  asked  what  ihe  h-Ljislal  iire  can  dn 
with  M'lrafil  to  it.  I  can  stale  in  a  few  wniiN 
some  of  the  tliiii;:s  which  it  can  and.  I  think, 
onudil    to  do. 

"  1.    I'ass  a  hill   prohiliil  iiiLT  the   fnndiiiLi'  under 

the     Ikiddlehel-Ljel'    hill     of    any     hond     fldlM     which 

the  coupon  which  niatiii'es  .Inly   1.   l^'^T.  has  hccii 

(ielache(l. 

"■  L'.    I'l-opose   an    ainendnieiii    to    iIm-   <'oii<liin- 
tioii.    to    he    siihiuilieil     to    I  he    ne\i     h  l;  i  - 1  a  1 1 1 1'c, 
pro\idini:  that    no  future   leu'islanire  --liall.  after 
the  ad  op  I  ion  n(  said  a  iiieiid  iiieiii .   make  an\    pi-o 
\  isioii    for   the    pa\meni    of  any    homj    which    has 

mil  heell  funded  Ulliler  llie  I  v  i  d  1 1  1  ehi  •  I'LIe  r  hill, 
except    those    held    hy    schools    and    colliL^r^, 

"  .'>.    Transfer,   wiih  some  few    necr-.--.;!  ry   e\.-.-p 

ri(UlS.     the    assev.viiiflll     and     colh'clion     of     re\ehlie 

to  the  counties  and  cities  of  ihe  (  "ommoiiw  imIi  h. 


2r>S     A  iilohi()(i)-(i /ill  1/    of    'John    K.    Ma^^cji 

"  Tlie  tliouulif  (if  (»^("('riTli,^  I'cccivinu:.  or  consid- 
cTiiiu-  any  oIIkm-  Jci-ins  of  sell  lenient  llian  lliose 
contained  in  the  Kiddlelx'i-^ci-  bill  should  not  ]>e 
entei'tained   for  a   moment. 

"'Do  not  these  ])ro|)osit  ions  savor  of  re])udi- 
ation?  ' 

"  IJef<»i'e  answerinij  this  (jnestion  let  us  con- 
sider a   few  historical   fa<'ts. 

'•All  who  ai'e  familiar  with  the  ])assa_£;(^  of 
the  l-^undiniT:  ]>ill  of  ISTl,  which  sa])])ed  the 
foundation  of  State  sovereiunty  and  deprived  tlie 
State  of  the  ])0wer  to  control  her  revenues  for 
thirty-four  years,  know  that  it  could  not  have 
been  ])assed  but  for  the  fraudulent  use  of  money, 
which  was  furnished  by  l)ondhol(hM's  oi*  their 
a*i'ents.  T  do  uot  meau  tliat  all  who  voted  for 
tliat  bill  wei-e  thus  intiuenceih  Some  who  voted 
for  it  were  as  hiii'h-toned  and  honorable  men  as 
tread  A'ii'ij,inia  soil.  Hut  I  do  mean  to  say  the 
bill  could  not  haxc  l)een  jxisxiil  but  fiu*  the  c(n-- 
ru})t  use  of  money  furnished   fi»r  that   |)uri)ose. 

''  I'^tr  ten  yeai's  the  iH'ojile  Imre  the  intoler- 
alde  and  unjust  ])ui'(h'n  this  fraudulent  bill  im- 
[losed.  \\'lien  they  could  no  lonuci-  bear  it  they 
did  iu)t  i-etaliate  by  olTei'iuL!;  thei?-  ojipressors 
less  than  justice  and  (Mpiity  dictated,  but  jti'o- 
[)os(m1  to  j»ay  their  creditoi-s  about  doulilc  the 
amount    they  ou<j:lif    to  ]>ay. 

''How  has  this  liltei-al  offer  been  met?  I'.y 
insults,  taunts,  and  thi-eats.  \\\  di'aii,"u"inix  the 
Slate,  like  a  cul])i-it,  to  the  bar  of  a  jtaftisau 
couri.  liy  seekinu:  to  bi'il)e  taxjiayei'S  to  disobey 
the  laws  of  ^'irJJ:inia,  and  olt'ei-iiiL::  to  (h'fend 
them  and  to  sa\'e  them  hai-mless  in  their  dis- 
obedience of  tlieiT'  own  laws.  \\y  seekitiu'  so  to 
arouse  the  cu]»idity  of  ta\])ayefs  as  to   make   it 


/./'  lih  iiiiii  t  f  i'>r<  rndf 


i:t;i> 


(t\  ciTidc  ItKili  iticir  j>;ii  I'i.ii  is.ii  ainl  lln-ir  x'lf- 
rfsjtfii.  r»v  srckiiiL;  iIii-miiuIi  :i  [i;irii>aii  ci'iii-l  ii» 
(Iclci*  iinicci's  (»r  llir  Sl;ilc  fnini  nlM-yiiii,^  Siatf 
laws. 

"  hi  a  \\i>r(i.  thcv  lia\c  In-i'ii  swift  lo  avail 
I  lit'iiix'h  cs  111'  {'\cr\  ii|)iMii-i  iiiiii  V  In  Iiai-a>>  ami 
Iiuiiiiliair  \'iiu'iiiia   ami    \' iiuiiiiaiis. 

"  NdW,  mv  iipdiMisii  iiiiis  ai-c  ciiiiiNalnii  lo  say- 
iiiLi'  In  lilt'  lHPii(lli(il(|fr>- :  '  \\  I-  Iia\f  maili'  ymi  a 
lili-'fal  iirtci';  ii  is  ilic  mily  (Hic  wc  >-liall  r\^-v 
iiiakf  Vdii.  Afcci»l  ///'//  (>!•  ii"lliiiiii.  if  ynii  in- 
tcml  li»  ai-cr|ii  ii  ;il  all,  \i>ii  miivi  do  ii  sjnii/ili/. 
If   Vdii    fail    iM  si('ii    in    l»ff<>i-('   ilii'   limitaiinii   i-\- 

pircS,    Villi    w  ill     Mini    lllc   i\nnv    cliiscd,    //(  /■'  /•    /'/    /;' 

fi 'i/,i  in '/.  1  f  Villi  cull  I  his  ri'|iiiili;ii  idii.  yuii  may 
riiiisiilr  ymirsi-h  I's  wiili  ilic  rrriillrri  imi  ihal  it 
is  I  111-  wiii'k   iif  ymir  nun   Inhnl^.' 

••  I    will    iK'Nci-  aiUocair   ]iayiiiLr  niu'  dnllar   to 

tlmsc  wild  iTJrcI  llic  Sri  I  Irllli'llI  dtt'lTnl  ill  llji' 
IkiilillilHTUiT    tiill    ami    srck    in   Cdcl-ir    lln'    Slatr    Id 

(•dm|)|y    wiili    llit'ir  (iciiiamls. 

■•  .InllN     J].     .MASSi;\  . 

••  Ash    Law  n,   Dec.   lT.,    IssC." 

W'hili'  I  was  l,iiMili-iianl -<  ld\  rniiir  I  was  iv^- 
(liirstcil  hy  a  Ndrilirrii  fdiidr  in  ;j;i\c  my  \icws 
(if  the  "■  Siitit  liiiai  <^hirs!idn."  .M  \'  n'ph  was  as 
fdlldus: 


"  I'lcfiipr  a  I|v\\  rl'i  IILl'  lIli'  (pl.'^l  idllx  \iHI  s,i  cdlir 
Ii'dllvly  ;|vk.  I  will  vl;ll,.  \\li;|I  i  vU],|,,iv,.  |m  !,,• 
tlirif     imiidll.         ^■dll^     lirvl     (|||r^lidl|     iv.     -Wli;!!      iv 

I  lif  Smii  li.-rii  i|iii'^l  idii  7  " 

■•  I    siip|idM'   \dii   di-^ii-i'   Id   kiidw,   |i\    this  i|ni-s 

tidll.      what      -^nllji'il      df     (llli'vtinll      IllMvI      dc'ply     ;|f 

fi'iis    and    iiiii'ii'sis    thr    Sdiiili.    pulii  ically    and 


270     A  Htohio(jr(ip]ii/    of    John    K.    Masscij 

niatcrinlly.  Assuiniiio^  tliis  lo  hv  ilio  purport  of 
voiir  lirst  quest  ion,  tlie  answer  to  it  is  two- 
fold. 

"  V\vM.  Sliall  tho  SontlKM'ii  States,  as  all  the 
Stales  of  tlie  l-^'deral  Tnion  sliould.  enjoy  re- 
s])eetivelY  the  free  and  full  exercise  of  their 
reserved  rii^lits  and  the  nninterrn])ted  eonti'ol  of 
their  respective  State  and  otiier  local  <^ove]-n- 
nients? 

''This  question  is  forced  u]»on  the  South  by 
th(^  fr(M|uent  reference  which  is  made  to  'the 
Southern  ])olicy  of  the  Federal  administration.' 

''Why  should  there  be  a  Southei-n  any  more 
than  a    Northern,   Eastern,   or   AVestern    ]»olicy? 

"The  ]MM)ple  of  the  Southei'ii  States,  as  did. 
also,  many  of  the  ablest  statesmen  of  the  Xoi'th- 
(TU  States,  believed  that  soverei<j,-n  States  had  a 
riurht  to  withdra^^■  from  the  1-^'deral  T'nion  \\hen- 
ever,  in  theii'  o])inion,  they  had  just  cause  for  so 
doinir.  This  riij^ht  was  submitted  to  the  ai'bitra- 
ment  of  the  sword,  ^\•hich  decided  aii'ainst  the 
Southei-n  States. 

"The  ])eo]de  of  the  South  acce]ited  \]\v  T'csult 
in  ])erfec11y  ;L^ood  faith.  They  admitted  the  in- 
dissolubility of  the  Tnion  of  States,  and  went  to 
work  with  will  and  energy,  un{>ai-alleled.  to  re- 
build  their  fallen  fortunes. 

"No  ])OT'ti(»n  of  this  bi'oad  land  of  oui's  can 
show  a  mor(^  ])eaceable,  oi-dei-ly,  law-loxini::  citi- 
/(Uishi]),  or  one  moi-e  loyal  to  the  T'nited  States 
thiLT  and  Government,  than  the  Souiliei-n  States. 
This  would  be  (luickly  deim>nsn'ale<l.  if  any 
earthly  jiowei'  should  dai*e  to  assail  or  insult 
I  liat    tlni!:  <'i'  iJ:<»\('i-nment . 

"  AN'hy.  then,  if  tliis  be  a  perfect  T^nion — one 
and   indissoluble — any  s]iecial   j)olicy   foi-,  ov  in- 


I/k  uli'iuiiil-(i''ti(  I'li'ir 


'21  i 


fcrfcrciicc  with,  any  jiarticular  jiortion  of  il? 
'I'lic  same  piilicy  slidiild  ajtjily  to  f'vcvy  j)oi'tioii. 

••  SccoikI.  Tlic  sccoihi  hi'aiicli  of  this  qiK'stioii 
is:  Shall  the  reins  of  our  h)cal  LroNcnmiriits — 
the  coiiirol  of  oiii'  ^o\('rniiii'iital  affairs  he  in 
ihi'  hands  of  iniclliufnco  and  \irtni'.  oi'  in  the 
ha  nds  of  iifnoi'ain-c  and  vice? 

"  This  (|ii('stion  is  fofccd  npnn  us  hy  ilic  inass- 
inir  tdird  licr.  hy  desiLriiinLT  men,  of  the  iri-cat  hody 
of  nr::!oi's  in  the  Sonlhn-n  Siaifs.  anil  ihc  ar- 
I'ayiiii;'  tlnMii.  ])olit  ically,  auainsi   the  whites. 

"  Tliefe  is  no  liosiiliiy  anionir  the  whites  of  the 
SontJ!  towai'd  the  iieuToes.  That  lliere  is  'race 
jn-e jiidiee  '  is  in)t  denied.  This  is  n  )\(itiii'(if  am! 
ilili'i'i  III  /iri liri pic  rn  ri/irln  i-(\  but  it  is  luillLTled 
with  no  liittertiess  in  the  Southern  lu'east.  Those 
only  who  lia\<'  been  rcaretl  with,  nursed  hy.  and 
who  lia\('  owned  neLcroes.  know  the  kindly  feel- 
iuLTs  >U(li  eiiiertain  toward  theiii.  Toil  this  fee|- 
iiiL""  dni's  iKii  hiind  them  to  faets  that  must  lie 
i'i-cMi:ni/.ed    hy    fair-miinled    men   e\-erywhere. 

■•To  sa  \'  that  that  u'o\ei'nmenl  is  hest  and 
safexi,  ;iuil  thai  the  riLrhls  and  iulei'e<ts  of  cili- 
/etis    are    hest    [U'oterted    when    laws    are    madi', 

CMiivi  ^^.(l,    and    e\ecuti'(l    hy    the    most     iutelli'jellt 

and  \irimiu<  eiii/eus,  is  hut   to  state  a  truism. 

"Two  p;iriies  I  I  miuii!  say  two  i-ace^i  arc 
(■nnfroiit  iuL''  each    olhei-   in    the   Southern    Slates. 

'i"lie\-     ;ire     Mul     di\idei|     Upnll     lliLlll     taiMlV     aild     hiW 

tariff    i--ues,    liui    up'Ui    ipieviidu-;   of   moi-e   \i(al 

iuiere-^l. 

"  (  Mle    (if    ihevr    pai'tles    is    ciimpiiseil    almost    ell- 

lir'-ly  iif  ihe  iiaMir:ill\'  superii>i'  I'aee  the  white 
race.      This   I'ace   i^   \\u]    (Uily    naiurallx    ^iiperiiU'. 

hul     friUii    ;|     period    heyolld     which     ihe    mellKU'y    of 

man    runneth    not.   it    has  heeu   trained   and   e(lu- 


272     Auto}iio<jraphi)    of    John    E.    Ma.^stcij 

viiioi]  for,  and  ncrnstoiiied  to,  iiinkinii",  ronslm- 
iii*;,  and  (^xccntin*;  laws.  It  fi-amcd  lliis  Mlio 
best  .ii()V(M*iiiiiont  tlic  world  cvei-  saw';  laid  the 
foundation,  reared  the  snperst laict nre.  and  en,t!;i' 
niH'red  it  safely  thron.ijh  both  calm  and  storm, 
nntil  it  stands,  the  admiration  of  the  civilized 
world. 

''  The  other  jiarty  is  com])osed  maiidy  of  the 
inf(M*ior  i-ace — nep'oes.  A  i-ace  that  has  never 
exhibited  qnalifications  for  makinn!:,  construini;:, 
or  execntinjjj  laws,  for  .i::overnini!,'  others,  or  for 
self-,u;overTnnent.  They  have  nevei'  been  li'ainiM 
or  edncated  for  snch  work,  and  are  wholly  with- 
ont  exp(M'ience  in  it. 

"  Ts  it  not  self-evident  that  tlu^  welfare  of  both 
races  (and  more  es])ecially  the  weaker),  tlu^ 
justice  and  wisdom  of  onr  laws,  and  the  stabil- 
ity of  _i2,(tv<'rnment,  all  <lemand  that  the  i-eins  of 
government  be  in  the  hands  of  white  men? 

"  Tt  may  be  ari^ned  that  the  '  colored  leG:ionsf 
ai'e  ofticered  by  ^\•hite  men.'  This,  to  some  ex- 
tent, is  true.  It  is  also  ti'iie  that  some  u'ood  and 
worthy  men  aftiliate  with  them  ])olit  ically. 

''These,  however,  ai-e  exce])tional  cases.  The 
bnlk  of  white  men  who  thus  athliate  are  men 
who  ai'e  eaLi'er  foi'  oflice,  but  whose  titness  foi'  it 
is  s(M'n  oidy  by  themsehcs,  and  who  nse  tlu^ 
neun'ocs  as  ste])]iin,Li;-stones  to  otl[ic(\ 

"  ff  the  coloi-ed  race  is  less  (pialified  to  t^ov- 
ei'H  than  t1ie  white  race  is.  it  loixically  follows 
that  it  is  also  less  (pialified  to  s(  hcf  those  who 
ai'e  lo  ii;,)\-ei'n  bolli  i-aces. 

''  I  liave  llins  stated  wliat  1  believe  to  be  'the 
Southei-n  (piestion,*  and  why  I  i-eu^ard  this  the 
most    imjioi'tant    (piestion   to  the   South. 

"To  your  second  (piestion,  '  How  should  it  be 


/./'  ///'  iiiDit  (lor*  rnnr 


nicl  I<t  J>n»(iuc('  (he  uMfiitcsI  i^nnul  \n  the  Solltll?' 
iiiv  ;ni>\\  t'l-  is  : 

'•I'ii'si.  r.v  ilii'  ciijut  iiiciii  of  jii>t  mill  wliolc- 
MiiiH-  l;i\\s,  ;iii(l  hv  liniilv  ami  iiiijiaii  iall\  adinin- 
islcriiit,'   llifiii. 

•' Scciiiid.  r>v  |iru\  idinu  aiiiplr  fducal  iuiial  fa- 
ciliiits,  and  liv  ciicniii-auiim  all.  Imili  while  and 
cnlorfd,  ill  ihcir  rr.vjM-ciixc  sdmols  lo  a\;iil  tlifin- 
si'Kcs  (if  I  hciii. 

"Tliii-d.  Uy  judiciniis  use  of  tlifir  means  in 
huildinu^  maniifaeiiiries  ami  de\cl(i|HnL;'  her  nat- 
ural I-esiMll-ees,  and  i  (V  (ifferinLr  proiier  indnre- 
iiienis  Id  caiiital  and  caiiiial  isis  of  uiher  Stales 
to  cd-diieraie    wiih    us   in   sudi    wmks. 

'•I'durth.  l\\  enciiurau'im^  linncst  lahor  l»y 
dealim:   jusilw   fairly,  and    liliei-ally    wiih    il. 

"l.asily.  \\\  iion-inierfei-enee  in  ihe  iniernal 
affairs   of   ilie   Stale   l»y   ouisidei's.   evpceially    by 

theil'     eeasillLT     \n     eUeoU  I"!  L!e,     eillicl'     directly     or 

imiirerily.  nem-o  domination  in  the  Southern 
States;  oi-  to  create  oi-  encouiaue  tin'  lielief  (hai 
the  rights  of  the  neufo  are  not  properly  re- 
spected and  ju'otecied   in   them. 

•■  .III UN    v..   ^I.\ssl:^ , 
••  I  jeiiieiiani -( lo\  eriior  of  N'iruMiiia." 


CIIAPTEE    XXVI 

GUBEKNATOKIAL  COXVENTIUX  AM)  CANVASS  OF  1889 

I  WAS  called  ou  to  address  the  (Jubernatorial 
couveiitioii  of  1889.  lu  eoDcludiiig  iii^-  address 
I  said : 

'' ,M V  oflicial  life  is  iiearinj]^  its  close,  and  I 
never  exjx'ct  to  be  a  candidate  ai;ain  for  any 
ollice.  IJefore  retii'in^i;-  to  jtrivate  life  1  wish  to 
^ive  nt(ei-ance  to  some  thon.nhts  that  may  not 
meet  with  your  a])})r()val.  I  will  say,  therefore, 
that  /  (iJ(nw  am  responsible  for  them.  1  do  not 
express  them  as  the  sentiments  of  the  conven- 
tion, nor  do  1  ask  the  con\ention  to  endorse  what 
I  am  i^oin^  to  say. 

"1  am  a  fiieiid  of  i;enei-al  education.  I  would 
like  to  see  every  child  in  Vii'_i;'inia  educated,  ])r()- 
vided  il  can  l)e  done  fairly,  honestly,  and  justly; 
but  1  am  tired  of  seeini;'  wliite  men  taxed  to  edu- 
cate nei^roes,  who  show  their  ini:,"rat  itude  by  ar- 
r;i\  im^  themsehcs  against  us  at  e\'ei-y  election. 

"I  \\;iiit  the  taxes  ]);ii(l  liy  white  ])eoj)le  aj)- 
l)lie(l  to  the  education  of  \\hite  children;  and 
those  ]);ii(l  by  negroes  ajipiied  to  the  education 
of  ne;:i'o  chibli-eii.  Let  them  Iia\'e.  in  addition 
to  the  taxes  tliey  ]y.\\\  excry  dollai-  tliat  is  <2:iven 
to  tlieiii  \dluntai-ily,  no  mattei-  by  whom;  but 
don't  comjiel  the  Inuiest,  industrious  white  men 
of  N'ii'uinia,  who  are  unable  to  educate  tlieii*  own 
childi-en,  ti>  educale  ne^i-o  children,  whose 
fathers  are  not    willini;  (o  pay  so  much  as  their 

J?  I 


Cofirrntion    (iinl    ('tini'<iss    (,f    tSS'J         L'T.' 

cnpilalion    tax — one   dollar     wliidi    is  (liMlicatcd 
fxclusivclv    to    llic    jiultlic    five   schools. 

" 'I'licst'  arc  not  hasty  of  i  hoiii^'-ht  less  i-xprcs- 
sions.  hut  rxpi-rssioiis  of  iiialufcd  thought. 
When  1  was  a  iiit'iiilicf  of  a  < 'oiiiiiiit tec  on  Con- 
stitutional Aincndintiiis  in  the  S.'jiatf  vcars  airo, 
1  ti'it'(l  to  ix<'i  an  aini'iidiiiciii  to  the  ( "oust  itut ioii 
lookini:  to  this  v\\^\\  hut  I  could  ii(»t.  Witluuit 
such  a  const  iiut  i'Uial  aiiicndincnt  the  ju-cst-nt  un- 
just ajiplicatioii  of  scliocd  funds  must  continue." 


The  Dcnioci'ats  nominated  ("oloiii'l  1'.  W.  Mc- 
Kinncv  foi-  (Iovciiku-  in  ls>lt.  and  (Icncial  .Ma- 
hoiic   iionunaird   himsidf  for  the  same  oilier. 

(Iciicial  .Mahouc  had  foi'iiH-d  a  new  jtai'iy, 
known  as  the  "('oalilion  party, "  composed  of 
while  and  colofed  Kepid»l iea lis.  and  of  feneLTade 
Keadjusterv.  who  had  ne\c!'  hecu  Keadjustei's 
•'upon  jirimiple,  hut  as  a  mallei-  of  ii-ade  and 
haiier";  men  wlut  followcil  (ieneral  Mahone  l)e- 
cau<e  he  ciuilfollrd  tile  l"ei|eial  palt'oliaLTe  in 
N'ii'uiina;  men  who.  if  tliey  had  I'Xpfessecl  iheif 
honest  sentiments,  would  ha\e  said,  as  one  ilid 
say.  '•  1  am  no  Ileadjusier.  I  don't  cafe  a  d  ii 
wheihei-  they  ](ay  {'wvy  d'dlaf  of  the  d.'ht,  of 
repudiate  e\ci'y  dollar  of    il." 

The  Keadjusier  party  sintered  in  jmhlic  esti- 
mation hy  l)cin'_r  confounded  with  the  ('oalilion 
pari\.  Men.  either  frum  iL:'norance  (W  desi^-n, 
would  ^peak  of  the  ••("oalilion  or  jjeadjustef 
pa  riy." 

I  liid-^i  soh'ninl\  pfiitevi  airain-^l  any  sindi 
unjiui  of  iln'  two  names,  or  any  coiifoiindim:  <»f 
line  with  ihe  oiher.  I  wa<  charLTed  and  //"//<  .s//;/ 
chaiL^ed  with  heinu"  the  I'aiher  of  Keadju^l  meiil. 


27(1     Aiit()b}>><ir<iiilii/    of    JoJni    JJ.    Mdssci/ 

an<l  I  \\;is  j)i-()U(l  of  inv  ()rrsj)i-iiiLr.  So  loiiij  ;is 
my  associates  and  co-woi'kcrs  were  such  men  as 
Colonel  l'ulkers(tii,  Colonel  Ai'iust  ronu',  .Ind^i:;!' 
Paul,  Colonel  Knflin,  James  I>ai-l>oui',  Senator 
Newhei-ry,  Senator  Ilale,  .luduc  L\  brook,  Sen- 
ator r..  i\  Williams,  Dr.  Mollit,  MaJ.  .1.  Horace 
J.acv,  Jndiic  I'auntlerov,  and  otliei's  of  like 
slandiiiiT,  who  united  and  co-o]>ei-ated  with  us, 
because  they  beli(n'i'd  the  princijdes  and  meas- 
ures of  the  ]»aT-ty  were  i-i,i;iit,  I  considered  it  no 
rejtroach,  but  i*ather  a  ('omj)liment  to  l)e  charged 
by  l-'undei-s,  and  acci-edited  ])y  Keadjusters,  as  I 
often  was,  with  lu'inii'  "The  Old  ( )i'iiiinal,""  "  The 
leather,"  "The  Creat  l^^ither  of  Readjustment,"' 
and  similar  tei'uis. 

When  Ceneral  Mahone  and  11.  11.  Kiddle- 
bei'U'ei',  both  of  whom  had  ()|ti)osed  Keadjusters 
and  Readjustment,  united  with  us,  the  foi-mer 
briuuinu'  the  Richmond  117////.  and  the  laltei*  the 
Shenandoah  Ihrald  to  (»ui-  sui>])orl,  I  thought 
them  \aluable  aefjuisit  ions.  I  did  not  susjx'ct 
them  of  havini;  joined  us  for  mercenary  |)ur- 
]>oseM. 

R.otli  Funders  and  lu'.adjusters  very  nat- 
urally tried  to  iz'et  all  'he  voles  they  could 
fiom  both  the  Democratic  and  the  Re|uiblican 
]»ai-'  ies. 

Wlieu  the  State  debt  was  settled,  t  hei'C  was 
nothiuu'  to  j»re\('nt  a  union  of  I'undei-s  and  Re- 
ad justei's,  and  no  reason  for  jierpet  uat  inir  the?;e 
disiiiiclive  naiues.  It  was  both  i-easouab1e  and 
j^ropcr  that  both  Democrats  and  Re|)ublicans 
shduld  resume  their  ]»laces  in  their  respectixc 
j»ai't  ieM. 

'i'liose  who  had  been  actini;  fr(uu  ])atriotie  mo- 


('ouniifi'iii  (Dill  f '(/// /(/.SN  (,f   Iss'.i         '2 1  t 

ti\cs,  and  honest  cdiiN 'u  I  ions  uf  dutv,  had  no 
desire  lo  eoniinne  ilie  sii'ife.  and  keep  ii|)  a  jiar- 
filion  wall,  at'lt-r  ihe  questions  that  had  dixidcd 
them  had  heeli  setth-iL  Keadjll>lel-s  Wotlhl  ha\r 
lieeii  hiind  to  theif  o\\  11  interest  aiid  honor  it' 
tliey  had  kept  iij»  sti'ife  after  '///  jiiirti's.  and 
neai'iv  '///  ///'//  of  all  |iariies,  had  coiieeded  thai 
the_\-  WCfe  fiullt,  and  elidofsed  their  j  irillciljleS 
and  nica>tii-es. 

I'.iii  (ieiieial  .Mahoiie  and  others  jiad  not  irot- 
teii    all    they    wanteil    from     Kead  just  nieiit  ;    and 

ha\iim'  lost  the  eolltideliee  ;ind  respect  of  honest 
Keadjuslers,  and  also  of  respeetahle    KepllltlieailS, 

undertook  to  oiuanize  a  new  party,  which  was 
neither  '•  lish,  tlesh,  nor  fowl,""  and  which  he 
rhristeiieil   t  hi'  '"  (  'oalit  ion   |ia  rly." 

I    lia\c  iioihinir  to  say  auainst    this  ainalirama- 

tiou,    ]Mo\  ided    it    he    not    confounded    willl    the    lle- 

adjiistef  parly.  Against  this  1  do  most  soleiiinly 
iind   e;irnest  I  \-   protest  ! 

<lcnei'al  Mahoiie's  intinil  esi  ma  I  uiaiitiide  (Ui 
the  one  hand,  and  his  inordinate  amiiition  on  the 
other,  came  wflkniuli  wfeckiuir  the  lleadiuster 
jiarty  hefore  it  accoiiipl  isheil  the  mis>i(Ui  fiU' 
which  il  was  crealcMl;  and  W(Uild  lia\e  done  so 
hut  for  the  lirmiiess  and  pruileiice  of  those  who 
Were  williiiL:'  to  he  sacfiliced  father  than  lo  sac- 
i-iticc  I  heir  principles  and   t  heir  State. 

<!cucral  .Malioiie's  arliiirary  and  auioci;iiic 
rule,  which  he  had  lieeii  aide  to  practice  hy 
means  .if  the    federal    |ia  I  roimuf,  ;iud    for   wliich 

he     had     sold     himself,     ;iud      |Udposed     to     sell     the 

Stale,  not  iiuly  lo--f  him  the  conlideiii-e  ;ind  rc- 
sjMcI     of    honest     licad  jllsters,    hut     of    le^peclahlc 

lve]Uihlicaiis  also. 


27S     Auiohioiirapluj    of    John   E.    }fasscij 


On  tli('  ;5(1  of  July,  1SS9,  my  wife  died  at  Ash 
Lawn  in  Allicniailc  Connly.  Slie  passed  away  as 
caliiily  and  itcaccfully  as  if  fallinii;  into  a  gentle 

sleci). 


(;iiapti:k   xwii 

sri'KKINTKMMAT    uT    I'll'.l.lC     INSTKl  (    TKiN 

r»i;i()i;i;  u\y  term  ni"  ollicc  ;is  Liriiicii;inI-(  i<»\- 
criiiir  cxiiircd  1  was  soliciicd  to  lu-  a  caiididali' 
U)v  Siipci-iniciidciil  of  I'uMic  I  ii>!  inn  ion.  1  had 
refused  i(»  lie  a  caiididaie  t'or  ilns  dtVice  siuiie 
veai-s  Itefdi'e;  hui  I  said  1  Wdiilil  accept  it.  if 
ele<-Ii'd  willnnit  SDlicJlinu'  Nules;  luit  I  wnuld  lint 
ask  any  nieiiihef  of  the  leuislai  iiie  lo  \(iie  for 
iiie;  and  I  did  mil,  yet  1  was  elecied  on  ilh-  lirst 
tialloi.  The  term  for  which  1  was  elected  coin- 
in I  11  ced  March  1  o,  IMK);  hiii  \)v.  I'. nehanan,  who 
then  laid  the  otlice,  resii^iU'd.  I  was  eh'cted  to 
till  his  iinexiiireil  term,  ami  to  enter  upon  its 
dniies  the  second  (hiy  of  .lannaiy,    1>1MI. 

In  concllldin^■  my  last  address  hefore  the  Sen- 
ate, in  respoir^e  to  the  kindly  re--olniions  that 
had   lieeii   unaniimuisly  adojiled,    I    r-aid: 

"  There  is  no  w(»rk  in  w  hidi  I  frr]  a  deeper 
iniefesi.  and  none  more  Iietiitim.;'  the  clo^e  id'  a 
JouL'  ami  lalioi'ions  puhlic  life,  than  ili;ii  which 
\on  li:i\e  enjoined  upon  me.  Mo-.t  u'l'a  i  efiill\  do 
I  .-hk  now  |edL:e  ilii-  coin  pi  i  1 1 1 1  Ml  I  a  I'y  maninT  in 
which  till'  olTiec  was  conferred,  and  esjM-eially  do 
I  ap[ireciaie  the  almost  unainmouv  \oie  id"  the 
mmnliers  of  ihe  Imdy  with  which  1  lia\e  Iieeii 
im  I--I    i  ni  i  ma  I  ely   a--^ocia  led. 

"  If  I  can  ^o  discharLre  the  \arii'il  and  respon- 
silile     duties     of     the     otVlce     to     which     _\  oil      ha\e 


2S(>     Autohloijrdphji    of    J  oh  a    E.    .]f(iss(y 

clccti'd  iiic  as  to  i-('ii(]('i*  OUT'  (Mlncalional  sysiciii 
more  cnicicnt  and  Ix-ncficial  ;  to  stiiiuilatc  tlic 
risiiiu'  uciicrat  ion  to  j^Tcatt'i-  crforts  for  I  lie  ac- 
(jiiisitiou  of  useful  kiio\\h'(lL;,(' ;  lo  iiisjtirc  tlinii 
to  l()\('  and  pi-acticc  j)ur('  iiioraliiv,  and  lo  merit 
the  i>landit  '  \\'ell  done/  I  sliall  attain  the  high- 
est suiiiniit  of  my  earthly  am1)ilion.  and  thiid<  1 
can  then  say,  'Now  lettest  Thou  Thy  sefvant  (h-- 
paft    in  ])eac('/ 

"  I  hojte  it  will  not  be  feu'ai'iled  out  of  place 
if  I  remind  you  that,  dnrini;'  my  connection  with 
the  Senate,  tii'st  as  a  memltei-,  and  then  as  your 
j)i'esidinu:  otlicei*,  se\'ei-al  of  your  lirother  Seu- 
atoi's  ha\('  been  calle<l  from  youi'  midsi  to  tlieii' 
tinal  account.  Should  not  their  deaths  remind 
us  that  we  are  a  ])ai-t  (»f  thai  stream  which  is 
constantly  and  i-a|iidly  u'lidini;  down  the  chan- 
nel of  time,  so(Ui  to  I'each  the  iiuseeii  shore;  au<l 
shoidd  not  the  ihouuht  jiromj)!  each  of  us  to 
j^i-eater  desire  and  nobler  eltorts  so  lo  Hnc  that 
our  examjiles  may  be  worthy  n\'  imiiation,  our 
li\'es  blessings  to  our  fel  low -uieii,  our  eiid  j)eacc, 
and  (Uir  reward  ^bu-ious?  '' 

.\ddressin^  my   successor,    I    said: 

"It  becomes  my  duty  and  it  is  uiy  pleasant 
JU'i\ilei:'e  to  hand  you  on  behalf  of  the  peojile  of 
^'il•^■inia  llie  insignia  of  oHice.  and  1  do  it  with 
the  conlideiice  that  you  will  use  it  and  fill  llic 
ojlice  into  winch  you  now  enter  with  <i-edit  to 
yourself  and  satisfaction  to  the  Senate  and  t<j 
the  Jieople  of  \' il'^'i  u  ia.'' 


.Major   'I'yler    in   accei»tiiiu:   the   u'a\-el    made   a 
nicr  lii  I  le  spe<-ch.     I  le  said  : 


i^uiH  rintindrtit    of    riifilic    I iistructhni     *JSl 

"Mr.  President,  ;is  I  t;iki'  llic  .l:;ivcI.  the  in- 
siuMiiii  (if  niv  ittlicc,  fi-mii  the  luitid  lluit  lias  held 
it  so  \\  iscl V  and  so  well  fui-  the  iasi  foiii-  vcars, 
and  look  n}>(»n  your  sihci-cd  locks,  tcllinu''  of 
years  of  rijti'  wisdom  and  iiialurc  jndLriiirni.  and 
think  of  yonr  lon^  an<l  altlo  sctn  icr  to  the  Stale, 
and  retlect  njHin  my  own  inexi»erienee,  I  more 
fully  than  e\er  realize  the  tiaith  that  we  must 
rememhef  Ilim  who  has  pi-oiiiised  to  '/wv  lo 
those  who  ask  w  is<|om  lihei-ally  and  ni»lifaideth 
nor. 

".\Iany  are  the  woiiliy  and  illnstfions  ehai'- 
acters  that  have  lieeii  ehoseii  to  till  this  jilaee, 
Iiui  aiiioiiL^-  them  all  none,  sii-,  afe  more  consiiie- 
ijoiis  than  yourself  foi-  ihe  atile.  faif.  atid  im- 
|iaiMial  maniief  with  which  you  lia\e  d  isdiai'ir.-tl 
the  duties  that  lia\('  de\ol\ed  upon  you.  .May 
your  ma II lie  fall  lUi  me.  and  with  ii  some  of  the 
wisdom.  |u-udeiice,  and  fairness  which  has  char- 
acleii/.ed   \  (Uir  act  ions." 


I  entered  uj)on  my  <luties  as  Suiiei-inteiideiit 
(d"  ruldic  Insiiuclioii  on  .lanuary  L*.  isitd.  The 
Slate  r.iiard  id"  l^dmatiou  is  composed  of  the 
(lo\<'rnor.  the  .\t  i  ortiey  ( ieuei'al.  and  the  Supei-- 
iiiicndi'iii  of  i'uMic  I  list  laic!  iou.  ("olomd  riiilij) 
^\'.  ^I(  Kinney  was  <  Ion  cinoi'.  and  .Major  I!.  Tay- 
hir  Scdii  w  as  .\  I  t(M-ney  (  leiii'i  al.  It  wa^a  ph'as- 
ure  III  lie  a<<ociated  wjih  ilmm.  N'iruinia  may 
ha\i'  had  many  n^  true,  faithful,  and  couscieii- 
li(Ui>-  puMic  sei-\auls  a<  lhe\  Were.  Inii  I  hazard 
iKiiliiiej  in  ^avinu'  ~~hi-  iie\ei-  had  aii\  who  were 
///o/f  V,,.  r.Mili  (.f  ihem  have  uoue  to  their  tiiial 
[•••ward,  liui  each  ha^  left  a  fraL;rant  meiui>ry  lie- 
himl  Ilim.  without  a  scar.  lU'  a  hlemish,  to  mar 
the  lieaiii\   and  lo\eliiiess  of  his  character.    Thev 


1*S2     A  iil(>hi()t/nip]ii/    of    JoJdi    K.    Musscy 

wcT'c  faiHiful,  <j:()0(1,  utuI  true  men.  I  deemed 
mvsclf  foi'huiaie  to  be  associated  with  such  men 
in  I  he  im])oi*(ant  and  responsil)le  duties  c(un- 
milted  to  us. 

AViiile  I  was  Su]KU'inteTident  of  Public  In- 
struction I  visited  Hampton,  and  tlu>  foHowinu; 
is  a  nc^wspaper  account  of  tlu'  aiblresses  made 
there: 


"Dr.  H.  L.  ATavhind,  Editor  of  tlie  Xatiointl 
liaplisl,  lMiila(h'l])hia,  and  Dr.  .Mass(\v,  Su])er- 
inlen(h'nt  of  l*ul)lic  Instruction  of  ViriiMuia,  were, 
^\■itll  otliers,  i'(H]uested  to  make  a(blresses  at  tlie 
dedication  of  ^Science  Ilall'  at  the  Hampton 
Aiiricultural  and  Mechanical  Institute  for  Ne- 
iri'oes  and  Indians. 

''This  sci-il)e  docs  not  ])ro])os('  to  liive  a  full 
T'cpoi'i  of  their  addresses,  but  oidv  sucli  extracts 
as  sho\N'  the  trend  of  each.  r>olh  addresses  w  (U-e 
uni([ne. 

"'  Dr.  ^^'ayland  s])oke  first.  He  is  an  able  man 
add  a  tlnenl  aiid  foi'cible  speaker.  He  was  ])ro- 
fuse  in  his  comj)liments  of  tlie  '  .\frico-Ameri- 
cans'  foi'  the  wondi'i'fnl  j»rou"i'ess  tliey  had  iiiad(» 
in  civilization,  education,  ai'ts.  sciences,  and  I'c- 
iiiiion  since  tlieir  emancipal  ion ;  es])ecially,  as 
he  said,  after  liavinui:  been  'stultified  and  de- 
,i:ra<led  by  two  hundre(l  yeai's  of  slaveiy.'  He 
e\']»i'essed  (hdi^'ht  that  theii'  yoke  of  boiidau'e 
had  be(Mi  reiiioNcd.  '  lint.'  said  lie,  '  I  can  never 
i:'et  i-id  of  feeling's  of  humiliation  and  de^i-ida- 
tion  which  I  ex])erieiice  when  I  reiiieiiibei"  that 
I  ]i\-e  in  a  country  which  e\ei'  to]ei'ate(l 
slavery.' 

"^  ' The  white  ])eo]»le  of  the  Sonlh,'  said  he. 
Miave  also  made  s(jiii<'  progress,   for  wliicli   they 


Siijicrinlt  )uhnt    of    I'uhlu-    hi.'<l nict i'm      i*s;> 

arc  (Militlcd  to  some  (■oiiijiliiiii'iii.  Tlicv  lia\t' 
IcariK'cl  to  s/ii  II  jipi'itv  well.  Inii  they  lia\('  iii-nit 
learned  to  pron'/iincr.  They  jiroiioiinec  A-f  r-i- 
c-a-n.  iii<r^'er:  ' 

•'The  lai'ire  assembly  hall  was  tilli-d  lo  its 
utmost  seat  iiiur  eajiacity  with  a  small  coin  iiiLTeiit 
of  whites,  and  a  larire  amlieiiee  of  eolori'd  iik'H 
ami  women,  who  applauded  the  speaker  hearlily 
dnrini;  his  address  and  at    its  eomlnsioii. 

"  When  I)r.  .Masse\-  arose,  he  was  also  trreeted 
with  consideralde  ajiidanse.  lie  said  he  had  ex- 
pected   to  address  them   upon  edneaiion.il    lines, 

hnl    t  he    -''"' I''"i:i'l    \\'l'*    l»receded    liilll    had    illtl'o- 

dnced  a  snliject  of  snch  interest  and  imporiance 
that  he  had  coiKdiidecl  to  follow  in  the  same 
line. 

"  '  I  am  jn'epare(l."  he  said,  •  to  endorse  all  my 
jn'edecessor  has  said  of  IJie  i  m  [  H'o\  i-liielll  iif  ^ 
what  shall  1  call  them?  I  will  e;ill  them  the 
friiil  1111)1  diiil  ironi' n  of  the  Smilh.  All  the 
world  lieside  cannot  show  an  eipml  numhcr  of 
the  African  race  who  ha\('  made  siieh  proLrress 
in  ci\  ili/.a  t  ion.  e«lncation.  arts,  and  sciences  as 
the  Southern  State's  can.  'idie  \arion-<  <'|iri<iian 
denominations  ha\e  sent  hundreds  (d'  mission- 
aries to  heathen  lands,  and  lia\e  e\peiidi'd  mil- 
lions of  (hdlars  in  tryimr  to  e\  anudi/.e  them. 
And  yet  it  is  doiihtfnl  if  tjieii-  comliiiied  lalnirs 
ha\e  resnited  in  the  coii\-ei'sion  of  as  many 
heathens     as     there     are     ftr<>f<  s.s-,,1     ('jiri^iians 

anioinr     the     cidored     people     ^f     the     Snlllh. 

'•  '  II  ow  a  re  we  to  .'icconnl  for  this'.'  Two  Imn- 
dred  years  !ia\c  elapsed  in  Af/iiii.  since  tie'  in- 
trodnciion  of  .\frican  slavery  into  the  Aiiiefican 
colonies,  as  well  as  they  lia\e  elapsed  in  ilie 
\<  ir    \\(>rl<l.      if  sla\erv    has   stnltitied    and    tie- 


I'St     Aiit<)hi(t(/r(ij)Iti/    of    r/(jjnt    J].    Masi^ty 

jjradcd  (lie  Africo-Aincricaiis,  as  inv  ])i'('(l('c('s- 
sor  claims  it  lias,  is  i(  not  fair  to  supjjosc  that 
their  aiicestoi's  in  their  native  land,  who  have 
f'scajx'd  the  yoke  of  Aiiiei'icaii  l)oii(la,ii:e,  liave 
iiKKh'  ureatei'  jji'oiii-ess  in  these  IMIO  veais  than 
theii'  (h'scen(hnits  in  the  Sonthei-n  States  have? 

"'This  is  a  fair  deduct  ion  from  the  |)remises. 
The  i-ace  in  Africa  to-(hiy  Innc  had  moi-e  than 
I'OO  years  of  freeihnn.  Ts  the  conclusion  that 
they  ha\"e  made  ,i2:i'eater  ])i-oiiress  than  the  Africo- 
Americans  sustained  l)y  facts? 

"  '  ^\'llen  Stanley  was  ex])lorini:  Africa  but  a 
few  years  aii:(\  he  found  liei-  inhabitants  not 
only  sa\a;j:es,  but  cannibals.  One  of  the  darkest 
(h'cds  reported  by  him  was  the  j»urchase  of  a 
i::irl  fi'om  one  tribe,  and  the  i:i\"in;j.'  her  to  an- 
other trilie,  t(^  see  theji'  nutdc  of  killinu:  and 
eatiui^a  human  Ixdnu".  When  facts  |)ro\'e  leuiti- 
niate  coiudusions  to  be  false  the  ]tremises  ai'e 
unsound. 

"•'irow,  then,  are  we  to  accoiint  for  the  fact 
that  the  colored  ])eo]de  of  the  South  ary 
far  in  ad\"anc('  of  their  race  in  theii-  nati\-e  land? 
I  know  of  but  one  way  of  account  inu"  foi-  it.  It 
is  tlu'  rtsiilf.  the  fi'iiil.  the  niilcoiiic.  of  shircri/. 
r»ut  foT*  sla\"ery  the  A frico-Amei'icans  would  <o- 
(]i\\  lie  in  sinnlai-  conditions  as  their  ancestoi's  in 
their  nati\-e  land  ai-e.  Can  a  system  wliicli  lias 
brouii'ht    f(U'tli    such    fruits,    and    |»ro<luced    such 

I'esults  as  I  sec  before  me.  be  a  1 1  ou'i't  her  b;id? 
If  yoii.  my  coloi-ed  friends,  fully  realized  \\li;it 
yon  Iiii\-e  (/(lliKil  by  sliin  i-jl,  you  would  U'et  upon 
yoiir  knees  ;ind  ikank"  (lod  ihat  liei:a\i'you  mas- 
tei's.  I  thank  (lod  jji.il  sla\-ery  has  been  abol- 
ispcd.  It  has  accomplished  its  mission.  I'lit, 
on  voiii'  account.   I   thank  (lod  that  slaverv  once 


SiijHiiiih  inh  III     of     I'lihlii-     I  iisl  nirl  inn      L*sr» 

existed.  Willi  is  elllitlci]  hi  ihc  Ikuimi-  oy  dis- 
lloIKiI'  iif  |i;i\inu:  inl  l-0(li|ic(l  il'.'  Xol  Soul  In  ril- 
<)'■■<.'        Nil     Nt'SSi'l     owilcil     IiV     Si  illl  lllM'Ilel'S    cXfl'    CIl- 

L^iLTi'il    ill    Mil'  si;i\t'   irmlr,   i»r   ImikIciI   ;i    cnrmi   uf 

AfriiMIlS  ll|Hil|  Allierir.lll  snil.  <"ili/:rlis  uf  llnl- 
l;inil.  iif  0/(/  I.' in/hi  ikI,  ;iiii1  of  \  '  ;/■  I'li'/hiii'l.  leil 
eillier    li\-     Jillii;inl  lll'iijiv,    lip    cil  jiidil  II.    seeiliu'    tile 

eiiiiilil  iiiii  iif  the  .\l'rie;iiis  in  tlieii-  n;iii\e  I;iiiil, 
e;i  [It  llPeil  llii'lll  Jlinl  liriillt:lil  llielii  Id  Aiiieriea. 
As     the     XnlMlieril     snil     ami       clilliate      Wi-I'e       liiil 

.'nlapteil  til  their  iIe\i'Ii)|Miient,  nr  rather  tn  remlrr 
their  lalmr  reiiiiiiierat  i\c,  their  eai>tiirs  snhl  them 
to  Siiiii  hrrners  wlm  put  them  mi  farms,  ami  in 
w  iii'k  --hii|is.  ami  taiiLiiit  them,  liv  liuth  iirecc|ir 
aiiil  e\;im]ih',  aurieiilt  lire,  haml  iirafis,  moralitv, 
ami  reliLlidii  ;  ;i!iil  here  lirfore  me  ai'e  some  Iif  the 
fruits  of  their  labors."  "' 


I  e\[»ecteil  to  lie  married  in  Se|)teml)ei-.  IS'tO, 
to  .Miv>  .M;iiiic  I].  .Mc("reary  of  Ahihama;  and  1 
Well!  to  .\l;ili;ima  a  few  davs  in  ad\ame  of  the 
tiiiji-  si'i  for  the  marriaLTe.  \'rry  soon  after  my 
arri\al,  I  rereixed  a  irleuram  ni'^iiiLr  iiie  to  ^o 
to    rdarksliiiru'  <"oJle^e   wiilioiii    diday.      'ryphoid 

fe\i'r     wa'^     ihrejteniim'    to    lire;ik     l|[i     the    sc-s^jon. 

A   piofi'^Mir  a  nd  a  student   had  died,  others  were 
ill.  and  a   L^em-ral   stamiiedr  was  fenn-d. 

My  mari'iaL^e  was  [lovtpoiied,  and  i  hastened 
liaelv  to  rd a elv^liiii'LT.  1  was  a  meiiilier  of  ih-' 
Ivvei'iii  i  \  !•  <'onimitiei',  of  the  ("ommiilee  of  ("nr- 
rieuliiiii.    and    of    the    ("ommilteo   of   ('onirol,    of 

the    eolh-L!e. 

Sli'pv  wcrr  I.-ik.'ii  to  roi'reet  llie  imliealiliy  eon- 
ditions  id"  the  uroiimls  and  ImildinLr^.  and  to 
esiatdi^h   [iiopcr  sanitary  reL'^nla  I  ion^. 

I'oriih'i'     r.oai'ds    of    X'isiiors    eharired    a      ji>  r 


2Sr>     A  iihihiofiraj)])!/    of    John    E.    .Vr/.s\9r;y 

(Ji(  III  fi>r  llicir  jitiendaiKT'  dnriiiij;  tluMr  Tiicftiniis, 
in  addition  to  tlicir  Iravolini;  cxiK-nscs  i^oint!;  to 
and  fi'om  tlicni.  Tlic  then  cxistino-  Uoard  .u'avc 
tlu'ir  time,  and  cliariicd  only  llicir  cxjH'nscs.  Vov 
attcndinii'  i-cunlai'  mcclinii^s  tlio  incmbei-s  wrvc 
only  entitled  to  cliaru'e  tlic  ('xjtcnscs  wliicli  wci'c 
ncccssai'ily  incnn-cd  in  u'oinii'  fi-oni  and  rctni'ii- 
ini;  to  tlu'ii'  rcsjtcct  ivc  lionics.  If  snniuioncd  to 
attend  a  called  ineetinir,  of  wliieli  tliey  had  no 
notice  befoi'e  leaAin^'  lionie,  it  was  leii'it  iniate  and 
I'iulit  that  they  shonld  chai-i^'e  the  exj)enses  neces- 
sarily inciH-i'ed  in  attendini::  the  nieetinu::.  In 
othei*  woT'ds,  th(»  college  shonld  i-einibni'se  them 
foi*  the  exjienses  incni-i'ed   in   its  behalf. 

A\'lie?i  I  left  home  1  had  no  ex])ectation  of 
this  extfa  meetiiiL;:  of  the  execntive  committee; 
not'  did  I  know  of  the  circnmstances  \\hich  ne- 
cessitated it.  IJes])ondinu-  to  this  nrii'ent  snm- 
nions  by  teleu'ram  i-e(|nii'ed  me  to  make  an  exii'a 
ti'ij),  solely  for  the  bcnelit  of  the  colleu'e,  a1  jxm'- 
sonal  saci'itice.  1  chai'ucd  the  colle^'e  crr/r-//// 
what    this  c.rlni  trij)  cost  m(\ 

Dnrini:  the  leuislat  ive  session  of  1  sn2-'0:",  a 
yonnu"  A'ii-u'inia  Senator  cliarL!,"e<l  in  Ihe  Senat(> 
Ihat  I  had  chara-ed  r.lacksbni-ii'  f'olle.G^e  the 
(\x])enses  of  my  '' bi'idal  Iri])."  11(^  either 
knew  this  to  be  false  when  he  made  th(» 
cliaru:!':  <»r  he  miu:ht  have  known  it,  if  he 
had  w  ishe(l  to  act  fairly  and  honorably. 
lie  also  stated  that  T  chai'ired  mileau'<'  on 
i-aili'oads  n])on  ^\■hi(■h  T  had  free  oi*  com])!!- 
menta ry  passes.  77/ /.v  ami  oiilji  this  was  true. 
It  was  the  nnifoi-m  custom  of  I'ailinad  com- 
jcinics  to  ui\c  compl  iiiKMita  ry  jiasscs  to  all  Stat.' 
otVicijils.  l-]\ci-y  mcinbm-  of  llic  h'L;isK-it  hit.  cNcry 
jiidii'i-,    the    <  lovcrnoi',    Licuteiian1-(  ■,o\(i-nor,    the 


Siil>'i'intt  n(I»  )it    of    I'lihlir    I iistruct'ion      L*S7 

Att()riiry-(  Iciicnil.  ilic  Amiitors  iitid  llit-  Trrjis- 
ui'cr,  ;ill  liad  them;  and  all  icccixfd  ilit-m  ami 
iis(m1  iIkmii  as  jifrsioKi!  cKiiipliiiK-nts ;  ami  all 
(Iri'W  ilu'  iiiilcaiTc  lixcd  liy  law.  No  kuc  sii[ip(i-cil 
rlifst'  cniiijiliniciilary  passes  smt  lo  iIhmii  were 
.Lri\cli  Id,  or  lo  he  crcdilcd  to,  llic  Slali'.  I  (if- 
iiiaiiilfd  ail  iii\('si  iual  iiiu'  coiniiiii  tec.  Tlif  yoimi,' 
\'iruinia  v^ciiator  adiiiilicd  thai  In-  had  compli- 
iiii'iilai-y  ]»assrs.  ujton  which  hr  tiMM'h-d.  and 
that  he  diTw  his  inilcau't'  as  ihouLTh  1m'  did  imf 
lia\('  I  hfiii  ! 

I   piiMishcil  a   card  in  rcfciTiicc  to  the  chariri's 
iiiadi'  aLTaiiisi  inc.  and.  in  coiuliision  said  : 


"iia\ini:    answered    e\('r\     allc^-aiion    of    niv 
ac(  users.    I    will.   cNcn    at    the   risk    of   lieinu'  con 
sideri'd   ciToi  isi  ical.  say  a   few   words  of  my   pasf 
laltor-J. 

"  I'roiii  my  earliest  manhooil  I  lia\e  heeii.  in 
some  sense,  in  public  life  I'irst  as  a  niemlter  of 
ihe    lei:;il    profession.    llii'ii   as   a    minisiei'   of   ihe 

(  !o--pel. 

'•  I"or  the  last  twenty  years  I  lia\e  lakeii  an 
acli\'e  pari  in  the  |(olitic;il  inleresis  ^f  X'irLiinia. 
IhiriiiL''  ihai  time  I  ha\e  had  a  promiiieiii  pari 
in  viiine  iif  \'iruMnia's  ticrcesi  ;ind  mo-^i  Idiier 
ca  III  pa  JLiii^.  haviiiLT  made  llii'ee  canxa^^e--  of  ihe 
eiii  ire   Stale. 

"  jJevidfv  rcpfeveiii  iiiLT  niy  coniitx'  and  district 

Se\"eral     vi||-,e--vi  \  |.    terms    in    liolh     the     llo|i-.e    ;iliil 

the  SeiKiie  of  \'irL:"inia.   I    wa^   Amiiloi-  nf    Tnldic 
Accoiini^    for  two  year~^  an<l    iwo   ihmhiIi-^. 

"In  iiiie  of  the  darke-.i  hoiirv  ,,f  N'irLrinia's 
liistor\.  when  she  seenie<l  doomed  iM  rain  and 
dishoii.ir.  and  ilie  vhackles  were  alre.idx  f^rixed 
whiili   were  Id  hold  her  in   their  niercilo-  irrasp. 


2SS     A  ulohiof/nij)]!)/    of    John    K.    Massci/ 

my  position,  nssocialioiis,  and  relations  cTiablod 
me  to  conibiiio  a  force,  wliicli  tiriiily  and  nnfal- 
t('i'iii,u-ly  stood  in  the  breach,  and  saved  tlie  lionor 
and  int(\i2:rity  of  onr  dear  obi  State. 

''  Vov  four  years  1  was  Lieutenant-(iovernor. 
I'or  the  last  two  years  I  liax'e  been  Sujtei'inten- 
dent  of  Public   Insti'nction. 

*' T  have  also  been  an  active  and  ])ersistent 
advocate   of   tein]tei'ance    from    my   early   youth. 

''  T  have  met  many  of  Vii'_ii"inia's  most  woi'thy 
and  honored  sons  in  shar])  j)olitical  discussions. 

"•'In  my  various  ])ositions  1  have  doubtless 
made  luany  mistakes;  but  I  haxc  stri\('n  to  till 
evei'V  ofllce  1  have  held,  and  i(»  dischar^'e  every 
duty  which  has  <levolved  n])on  me,  faithfully 
and  consci(Mitiously. 

''  I  should  have  had  to  be  moi-e  than  uian  if 
T  had  not  luade  soiue  enemies  dui-inu^  these  many 
yeai's  of  tryinij  events  and  contests,  but  T  <lid 
not  expect  at  this  staire  f>f  life  to  have  the  tlood- 
n^ate  of  wi'ath  and  vitu])(M'at ion  o])ened  n])on  me. 

"  Althouuii  llie  coiiimil  tec's  i-cpoit  was  suCii- 
cieut  \iudicat  i(m,  I  have  deeiiii'd  it  jiropei' to  izi\(' 
this  siuij)le  statement,  and  leave  all  t(»  detei'- 
mine  how  much  imi)ortance  is  to  be  attached 
to  the  crow  iuLi;  of  asjiii-inij:  tlcdLcelinii's. 

"■  Xcvy   respect  fully, 

''Joiix   v..    .Masskv." 


The  le.u-islature  of  iSOIV'Ot  n-elected  lue  Su- 
])erinteudent  of  Public  [ustructiou.  Col.  Charles 
T.  0'I''ei'rall  had  Ixtii  elected  (;ovei-TU)r  to  suc- 
cce(i  (biNcruoi-  McKiuuey;  and  .Mi'.  P.  Tayloi' 
Scott  had  been  i-e-elecled  .\ 1 1 oi'iiey-deueral. 
Hence  the  oidy  cliamrc  in  the  State  Poai'd  of 
Ivlucation  was  that   of  the  CJovernoi-.     (lovernor 


A<i(p<:n'ntf  nth  lit    of    I'lihlic    I n.st ritcf ion     L'^0 

O'l'i'iTiill  (lisjilavcd  r('iii;ii-k;il»l('  kiiowlt'd^rc  of 
the  (iiiiics  (»f  tlic  r.uaid  and  fail  lifiiliicss  in  their 
jti-rforniancc.  lie  assnnicd  his  fall  slian-  nf  work 
and  ri'Sjionsildlilv,  and  sh(»\\fd  liis  dcfp  inlcrrst 
in  t'(hifal  ional  work. 

The  f(dh)wini;  h'ttcr  Id  lh<'  /.'r/////o//\  Hi  ndd 
needs  no  I'uriher  ex])hinai  ion  : 

"  l-'.ver  since  tlic  'I'M  of  I  )('(('iMhcr,  IslM,  tliis 
eoininnnity  has  hccn  airitalcd  as  ii  ne\cr  was  he- 
fore,  hv  a  inuilitndo  of  charp's  made  in  thi'  I'ilot 
ne\\si)a[)er  auainsi  ihc  Siato  lloai-d  of  IMnea- 
tion,  and  Kf\-.  dohn  1'.  .Masscv  in  jiart  iciihir. 
The  \[\<\  named  ^feiiMeiiian  was  eharired  with 
e\ei'y  form  of  moral  dejtraxily  in  hnsiiiess  irans- 
aetions,  holli  |»i-i\ali'  ami  i>nhlic;  the  sanctity  of 
(hmiesiic  matters  was  ruthlessly  in\aded,  and 
the  hold  declaration  made  ihat  these  fornndahle 
charu'cs  cdiild  ami  would  he  |u-o\en.  Inijx'lled 
\\\  hi^  i>WIl  sense  of  sel  r-les|)ecl,  and  cousciiMls- 
ncss  of  innocence,  and  hy  the  ad\  ice  of  the  (lov- 
eruMi'  (d'  \'ii-L:"inia,  Mr.  .Massey  deternMiicd  lo  test 
the  \alidiiy  of  llicse  chai-ues  and  the  I'ectilude 
id'  his  own  conduci  hefure  a  jury  of  his  counii'\- 
meii.  The  suil  which  eiideil  this  e\cinnL,'  has 
lasted    ti\c    weeks.      Witnes^.-s    fi'om    e\ery    part 

nf  the  Sl.lle  wcfe  liefe.  Ml".  .Ma-scy  himself, 
thouuh     ^c\cnly-^i\     ye;ll-s    nf    aire.     w;is    sldijected 

tn  the  mo^i  sea  rchiiiLT  a  lid  |iersiuial  exaiinnation 
r\>-v  heard  in  ihi>  cMiiimuiiity.  ;iml  the  (i|>ii(.sin;j 
cdiin^t'l   |ioiircd  (.ui    up'iii   him  the  most    \iiu|»ei'a- 

li\e   ;diU>e   e\ci-    Iniifd.    Witnesses    floiM     Mr.    Mas- 

sey"s  (iwii  county      the  hest   men   in   the  county 
(!o\ermu-s  and    e.\  <  lo\  cinoi-s,    .\t  loriiey  ( ienei'al, 
and    iiiheis.    c;ime    |m    Mr.    Masscv's   I'e-^cue;    and 
two    of    his    law\('rs,    .Messrs.    'idiom    and    \e(dv. 


1M)0     Ant()})i()<iruphii    of    John    K.    Mas^ey 

iii;i(]('  sjx'cclu's  of  woiulcrful  ])()\v(n' and  clcxiiKMice 
in  liis  (h'fnu-e.  The  case  was  g-ivcu  to  the  jury, 
and  \vn  were  not  only  in  favoi'  of  vindicating 
liini  from  every  charge,  hnt,  of  awarding  him 
heavy  damages.  Tlie  opjjosition  of  two,  espe- 
cially of  one,  conn)elle(l  the  ten  to  compromise 
(»n  a  verdict  of  damages  of  .*>!l()()0.  If  it  had  been 
81(»,()00,()0(),  it  wonld  have  been  jx'cnniarilv  no 
belter  than  SI 000. 

'*  Itnt  the  agony  is  o\er.  Mr.  .Massey  is  tri- 
nmphantly  vindicated  by  a  jnry  of  his  country- 
men fi-om  e\('i-v  cliai'ge,  and  the  accusation  has 
been  branded  false.  .Mr.  Massey  goes  back  to 
his  mountain  home  witli  the  res]>ect  and  congrat- 
ulations of  every  good  man   in  this  community. 

"  Norfolk. 

"Norfolk,  Va.,  July  I'T,    IS!).")." 

In  regard  to  the  same  suit,  the  Disjxilcli  said: 


"The  battle  of  the  book  com]taiiies  o\ei'  the 
shouldo's  of  Mr.  Massey  is  endeil.  TJie  jnry  tnid 
that  Mr.  Massey  is  not  guilty  of  the  charge  made 
liy  tlic  Norfolk  /*/7o/  of  ]trost  it  ul  ing  his  ollicc 
of  Superinlcndcnl  of  I'uldic  instruction  to  ad- 
\ancc  tile  interests  of  the  American  Txxtk  Com- 
])any. 

"■This  was  the  supreme  isstie  of  the  contest. 
It  was  of  \ital  concern  to  Mr.  Massey,  jx-rson- 
al!y  aiul  oHicially,  and  was  of  great  couse(pience, 
also,  to  this  Commonwealth  and  to  the  Ameri- 
can  r.ook  Coiiijiauy. 

••ll;id  the  jury  found  for  the  defeudiints  it 
wiiuid  h;i\c  been  a  de;ithblow  to  .Mr.  Massey. 
ll;id  tlie  \-ei'dicI  been  otherwise  tliail  il  is.  the 
aspersi(ui    cast    upon    the    fair    name   of   a    most 


Sii  iiri-iii(nt(h  n(    of    I'lifilif    I  list  rii't  i'tn     U'.U 

iiii|Mii-i;iiii  (IcpMi-t  iiiciit  of  (iiir  Sinic  u'oxci-iiim'iit 
uiHiM  li;i\('  Imm'Ii  (Iffiit'iH'd  iiild  ;i  Iiiilcous  siaiii. 
S(i,  I'di-  Mr.  Masscv's  sakf,  ami  l'>>v  I  In-  sakt-  of 
llii'  < 'uiiiiiiiiiiw  i-a  ll  li  (if  \'i  luiiiia,  \\c  rt-jtiicc  in 
llir  \(iiliii  nf  ihc  jiifv,  ilcrlai-iiiu-  ilial  ilii'  «liai-i:»' 
iliai  .M  p.  .Massi'V  w  as  a  lii'ilic  laki'p  i>  a  IIImI.  And 
lir  il  i-fiin-iiilicrcd  llial  lliis  ciiiiclinidM  was 
i-caclifil  aficr  all  .Mi'.  .Masscv's  allaiiN  I'm]-  ihc 
jiasi  fniM  V  xcars  had  Inm  r\|MiM'd  lo  ijic  \\c\v 
of  the  J!ii-v  and  llic  world  with  a  i  liMrdiii^Jinrss 
and  iiiciTilcsvnrss  nc\ci"  fipialrd  in  a  ii\il  case 
in  \'iiLrinia.  So  ilic  jni-_\  knew  wi'll  wliai  ili.-y 
wii'i'  doiim"  w  lii-n  ilifv  jnononncfd  .Me.  .Mas^cy 
Hot    L^ii  illy  of  I  hf   I'll  I  it's  cliaruc. 

••While  Wf  say  llial  il  was  a  halllc  of  ihc 
lioMk  coiiiiianics  to  a  lai'Lic  rximl.  wr  haxe 
.Mr.  N'cfly's  word  fdi-  ii  icxccllmi  aiiihoi-iiyi 
that  .Ml'.  .^Ia^s(■y*s  coniiscl  fees  liavr  lifi-n  liorin'. 
and  will  lie  liornc,  l»y  .Mr.  .Mas^-y  hiiuM'lf,  and 
iioi  liy  (he  .Viiirfiran  r.odk  <'oiii|iany.  'I'lir  daui- 
aui's  and  costs  thai  he  will  icco\(i-  will  not.  we 
uui-vv.   viitVicc  \\\    hiindfcdv  (d"  (hdlars  lo   |iay    his 

hill     of    cXlMMlsi-s-. 

••  We  lii'\i'l'  dollhlcd  that  ilir  jlll'>  WcHlld  lilld 
a  \i'i-dii-i  r^i'  ihc  jdainlirt'.  and  wc  lia\c  alwa\s 
ma  ini  a  i  iicd  ihai  ihc  coiiiraci  in  i|iic^iion  was 
hoiif-t|\  awaidcil,  and  a  ^odd  one  U^v  \\\\^  Siai". 
llill  whal  iliicv  vii  rpii  VI'  n^  is  ihal  the  jiir.\  did 
ma  make  ihe  pn  ni~-li  im-iii  of  ihc  lihdl.Tv  \\\i\vr 
vi-\crc.  \\  r.  howc\cr,  "hiida  nui  ih.-n  ii  wjs 
the  wish  of  ihc  majoriiN  df  ihc  jiii-Mi-.v  |,,  ;iv^cv~, 
lica\ii-i'  damaue-^  ihan  sjCdll.  'riicir  \ei'diei.  we 
sii|ipov,'.  w;iv  i1h-  I'cvidi  df  a  comproiiii-e.  hy 
which  ihdv,.  wild  faxdicd  a  laruep  vmii  than 
sjCmi  \  ii'hh-d  I  he!  r  dpiiiidiis  dii  llial  pdim  raijier 
than    imni'   ihe   I'isk    df  scciiiL'  ;i    hiiiiL;-  jnfv."' 


292     Auiohiof/nipJiij    of    John    E.    .Vf/.v.sT/y 

I'poii  tlie  coiieliision  of  tlie  case  I  ivceived 
many  letters  of  eongratiilation,  and  tlie  news- 
])apers  verv  j^enerally  expressed  pleasnre  at  the 
ri'sult. 

T'ne  follo\\in^-  is  one  of  the  many  letters  I  re- 
ceived : 


"  It  alTords  me  "Teat  pleasnre  to  i'e])eat  in  this 
form  till'  impressions  made  111)011  me  during  the 
famons  trial  in  Xoi-folk  of  your  suit  against  the 
Pilot  Publishing-  Company  for  libel.  I  was  neces- 
sai'ily  a  close  observer  of  all  the  ])roc('ediii<i's  ])re- 
cedinir  and  durini;  the  trial.  At  its  bc.uinniuij:,  T 
must  confess  that  I  was  somewhat  vaiiuely,  and 
without  beinir  able  to  state  exactly  why,  affected 
with  some  ])rejudice  against  your  case.  As  the 
trial  ])i-oiiressed,  and  I  saw  your  viii^oT'ous,  daunt- 
less liearinu:  nndcr  surronndiuiis  which  would 
have  tested  the  stren*2:fh  of  mind  and  emotion  of 
most  men  much  youi-  junior  in  years,  not  only 
did  til  is  ])rcji](lice  vanish,  l)ut  1  became  con- 
vinced of  your  innocence  of  tlie  charges  bron,i:;ht 
against  you  liy  the  /*ilol.  and  was  ])ei-suaded  that 
you  were  the  \ictim  of  as  Itaseless  an  assault  as 
ever  emanated  from  a  newspaper.  Piually,  as 
a  result  of  the  trial,  I  mar\(dle(l  tliat  a  man 
who  had  for  so  many  years  l)een  in  the  active 
])olitical  coutlicts  waucd  in  this  Slate,  could 
enie]-u:e  from  such  an  ordeal  as  your  trial  with 
the  I'ecord  of  a  life  so  free  fi'om  any  just  criti- 
cism. 

*' This  statenieut  would  be  incomplele  without 
T-efereiice  to  the  intelligence,  sel  f-coni  rol,  and 
dignified  assertion  wliich  m;irke(l  you  tlii-ou,i!;li- 
oiit  the  entii-e  trial.  \\'ith  an  avowed  ])ersoiial 
and  political  enemy  conducting-  the  case  as  conn- 


Sii prriiih  itih  III    "I    I'liltlii-    I iist rudinn      '2\K\ 

scl  Ww  ilic  rHnl.  |ii'n\ukinLr  V'»n  apparent  ly  \>r- 
vi'iitl  llic  limits  itf  limiiaii  fHiliifaiirc.  the  hifiy 
•  liL^iiity  (if  Viiiir  licariiiLr,  ami  yniir  \iL,^>i-wus  iii- 
tfl  led  iial  ffidrls  will  mark  ilir  ii-ial  as  the  iii<i>t 
liitimil'aMc    I    CNt'i-    w  it  iicsscd. 

••  Tnisi  iiiLT  that  your  hcalili  cdiit  imics  li-uod, 
am!  that  ilic  days  \i-\  licfnri'  ymi  arc  naiiy.  I 
i-i'iiia  in,  ^'()IlI•s  \  cry  i  luly, 

••  \\'.\i.  11.  WiiiTi:." 


(iiiicialaml  ^Tcat  sni'jtfisc  u  as  cxiu-csvi-d  that 
I  ciiiild  lii-ar  as  I  did  tlic  lica\y  sii-aiii.  Itnih 
mental  and  jdiysical,  (if  ti\<'  weeks  of  sneli  Dnt- 
fau'e  ;is  I  snlTei-ed.  It  is  sni-in-isinu''  I"  me.  I 
iiiaiifnlly  reeufd  my  liejief  iliai  I  was  divinely 
sn--iaine(l.  I  ne\fi'  fetiicd  at  ni^rlii  witliout  re- 
tniaiinu    lliaidvs    fm-    the    ufaee    (if    the   day;    not* 

dill      I      e\ef     felnill      to     I  lie     ei  HI  ft    1m  Mlse     willmnt 

hniiildy  heveeeh  iiiLi'  its  eon  t  i  11  na  ni -e.  I  cMnimiited 
my  ease  and  myself  to  the  veaidiei'  <<['  heaiis, 
a  nd    I  le  ne\ CI-  fa  iled   me. 

.\elhillLr     ean      lie      nidl-e     I-e|illKi\t.     In     ;|      man     (if 

(irdiiiaiy  vcnsjlii  1  jiy  than  a  suit  fni'  lilirl;  and 
iiMihin'.:'  I  lilt  a  ((in^eieiii  imis  -cii^e  nf  diit\  ediild 
lia\e  im[ielle(|  me  til  institute  nm'.  I  am  nnw 
thankfiil  that  I  did  il.  1  had  pa^-i'd  llirniiu-li 
lea  II  \  exeiliiiLr  pi  ili  Ileal  e;i  III  p;ii:^n^.  a  lid  had  had 
lii:il!\  i-iilii-^l.  ami  siilip'  hilli'l'  d  i^eil---iiins.  in 
x'hieli  1  had  ai-iiiivi'd  Imslile  feeliiiL!^  and  made 
piiliiiial  I'lii'iiiif^,  whn  impiiuiii'd  iii\  mnlixes 
and  -aid  maiix  unkind  and  iinin-t  iliiiii:'-  "f  me. 
'I'll'  n-ili'ia  1  imi  nf  llf-e  ihimj-  iTcaied  -^ii-pieii  ni 
in  thi'  iiiimK  nf  maiiv  that  lliei-i-  wde  vmiie  fmin- 
dai'iiM  \'''\'  ihi'iii.  When  ihe  -nji  \\:i-,  liiniiLdil  it 
•j::\\i-  I  he  1  ijipi  irl  II  niiy  in  !ia\e  my  pa-i  life  thnr- 
iiiiuid\    Ni'iiiilaiid  and   iia^--e(l   in  re\ic\\.      j   knew 


2\)i     Autohiofjnijiltij    of    Jolni    K.    Mdxsaj 

this  would  !)('  llic  uiiii  of  the  counsel  of  the  Pilot, 
;iu(l  thai  he  would  thus,  unwitt  iu.ulv,  and  with 
inalite  prepense  {Malo  uhuikj),  do  me  a  service. 

lleuce  1  reipiestedjuy  counsel  not  to  impose  or 
I'aise  any  technical  objections — to  open  the  door 
and  let  it  stay  ojten.  This  may  account  for  the 
irrele\ant  matter  introduced;  but  not  for  the 
coarse,  al)usi\-e,  and  atrocious  ]ani;"uai;'e  used, 
noi'  for  the  license  allowed  counsel  for  the  de- 
fense by  the  court.  1  can  thus  account  for  the 
ti)leralion  of  my  counsel,  but  it  is  not  my  i)rov- 
ince  to  account   for  that  i\f  the  couii. 

The  verdict  liave  me  all  that  the  jnry  could 
<iive — complete  vindication,  ilad  they  awarded 
me  .Sr)0,()()(),  it  would  have  been  a  u'reater  warning 
to  lilx'llers,  but  it  would  not  ha\'e  benetited  me. 
I  never  have  recei\'ed  a  dollar  fi'om  any  of  my 
libellei's  and  I  ha\c  no  exixM-tai  ion  of  excr  I'c- 
cei\ing  one.  ''rh(y'  liaxc  not  ]»aid  any  ]tai-t  of 
the  expenses  awarded  against  them.  I  paid 
these  during  the  jii'ogress  (»f  tlie  suit,  and  lia\'e 
ne\'ei'  I'ccoxci'eii  one  cent  <if  them. 

.My  counsel  agi'ce(l  among  tliemsehcs  that  .Mr. 
iJichard  \\iilke  should  ma]<e  the  closing  argu- 
ment. Thai  gentleman  had  thoroimhiy  in\-esti- 
g.'iteil  tlie  case,  and  had  maiji'  himself  familiar 
with  e\-ery  font  n  re  of  it.  1 1  is  heart  w  a.s  in  it.  and 
all  his  faculties  were  fully  exercised.  Till'  /,<'al 
he  dis[ila\ed  impressed  his  ffiends  with  the  con- 
\iciion  that  he  would  make  the  '  elTorl  of  his 
life'  r.ul  before  the  lime  foi-  his  doing  so  ar- 
i'i\cd  his  pjiysical  streiigtli  failed  -die  was  eom- 
Iih'le|\  ]irosl  iMteij.  ;nid  ^\  a s  unable  to  |e;i\('  his 
house.  lie  had  o\crta\ed  his  -treiiuth  in  his 
unremitting  atlentimi   ami    labor  of   ti\('    wci'ks. 

W  hen  it   was  known  that   .Mr.  W'alke  could  not 


Siijii  riiil' ii'h  1/ 1    of    /'i/l/lii-    I  ii.-<t  rii(l\i,ti      ■_".•.' 

Im-  {•iT.vfiit,  Messrs.  \cilv  ami  Tiioiii  pi-ojioscii, 
as  each  of  iliciii  hail  made  cxjiausl  i\  »•  aimiin<-iiis 
in  ilif  caM'.  ilial  1  ^lnuiM  make  ilic  cldsintj;  ar- 
Liu iiiiiii .  1  riiiisiilffcd  ijiis  jii'ii[iM>inun  \i'i-y  coia- 
jil  iniriiiarv ;  and.  r\(ii  ai  lin-  risk  id'  si-cniiiii; 
•  uoi  i>iiral.  I  w  ill  sa\  I  liai  I  U-\\  full  v  adi^inalr  I  o 
III!'  lask.  AltlnMmii  I  hail  Ihmu  tidih  ini-nially 
and  jiliysjcally  laxcd  hcvdnd  ihc  |mi\\ci'  uf  cii- 
dufaiic'c  id"  mm  ynunuiT  ilian  m\M'lf,  1  U-\\  iliat 
1  (iMild  sjM'ak  all  day  if  iiiMcs^aiy  :  thai  my  mind 
was  rlcar  and  acli\r;  ilial  1  had  iIh'  farts  and 
f\  idiiiri'  at  my  lin^rfs'  I'lids  ;  and  that  it  was  the 
(//i/iort  II  Hit  1/  '//  /// //  //'/'.  'riiiisr  will)  know  me 
can  iniauiin-  Imw  stfrnmly  I  was  tcmpii'd.  and 
Imv.    hard   it    was  in   resist. 

Maeli  line  iif  my  (■(Min>el  had  shnwn  Mich  /eal, 
sin  1 1  aid  lily,  and  juinily  tiny  had  manaued  tin' 
ea>-e  sii  aldy  and  so  entirely  to  my  sat  isfaci  ion, 
that  i  was  unwilling' til  ui\e  t  he  sjiuhiest  LTfiMimls 
('<]■  any  mie  tn  say.  m-  thiid^.  that  1  was  wnwill- 
ini:'  III  lea\e  the  ease  wlinlly  in  iheif  hands.  I 
shall    e\cf  Imld    ilieiii    in    uiaiefiil    iiieiiKiry.      l-'or 

I  lli^     I'ea^Mll    a  Imie     1     deelilleil     I  he     ||iiI|Mr. 

.M  f.  .\.  r.  'rii'im  made  the  iln-^iim'  aiLiument. 
1  f  he  had    nut    sIimmI  at    I  he    fnfi'  frmii    nf  I  he  liar 

JM-fnre.  thai  S|ieeell  Wnlild  lia\e  [ihiefd  hiiii  there, 
in  the  e^!  i  Ilia  I  inn  "\'  e\eI-\  i  III  i-l  I  iLliMlI  lliall  wllii 
heard     it.        I     ha\eiiflill     lli'aid     I'l  U'ell-^ie    eh  m|  lleliee, 

Imi    ni'\er  heard  an\    that   siiriia---ed   this. 


I     Ildi'l'  d  I  11  ereiit     |eL:i>la  I  I  \  e   ael  s   I'll  Ilea  I  Inlia  I    111- 

stiiiiliiiiiv    were    [laid    six     |ii'r    eeiit.    ii|iiin     State 

Ir  >1mN     W  hiell     I  llf\      held     a^     e  1 1  d  '  i  W  1 1 1 1  •  1 1  I  s. 

'r!iiri\  ^i\  lhiiii--aiiil  ihillars  in  Siale  lnuids  had, 
tieiMi  dii!iali-d  111  e^la  lili.--h  a  W'l  iiii.i  n'--  <'ii|h"^e  in 
l.\  iiehliiirLr.     At   the  SMlieiiaiiun  uf  W.  W.  Smiih. 


l.*0(>     Aui()hi<)(jraiihy    of    JoJm    K.    Masscy 

LL.  1)..  l*i'('si(loii(:  of  IJaiHlol])]!  ^lacoii  College, 
I  pr('i)ar(Ml  a  bill  lixiiig  the  aaiouiil  of  interest 
((I  lie  paid  to  all  colk'^vs  and  schools  holding 
Stale  honds,  and  inclnded  the  "  \Voinan"s  Col- 
h\u(' ■■  in  it — ])lacing  it  npon  the  same  footing  as 
colleges  theretofore  established  ;  and  I  engineered 
it  throngh  the  legislatnre  in  ISUL*. 

^'il•ginia  was  annnally  ex])ending  .*R12r),000  on 
edncaiional  institntions  for  boys,  and  bnt  §15,- 
00(1  foi-  tlie  Iiighei-  edueation  of  women. 

This  dis])arity  \\as  nnjnst  to  oni*  danghters, 
and  damaging  to  the  State.  More  than  three- 
foni-ths  of  the  teachers  in  the  i)nblic  schools  of 
\'irginia  are  women.  Many  of  them  are  ])Oorly 
(|ualitied  foi'  their  work.  Vet  they  mnst  re- 
main so,  or  go  ont  of  A'irginia  to  obtain  better 
([ual  ificat  ion. 

1  heai'd  tiiat  <ix  A'irginia  ladies  were  teaehing 
in  I  he  Agnes  Scott  CoHege  in  Decatnr,  (leorgia, 
;md  lliai  tliey  all  had  to  go  to  other  States  to 
l»i'e|i;ire  llieiiisehcs  for  the  positions  they  were 
tilling.  I  went  to  l)ecatui-and  to  tiie  college  to 
asceiMaiii  what  ])re]»arat  ion  they  Tieeded  that  they 
could  not  get  in  \'irgiiiia.  I  was  moi'e  than 
(■\  ei-  coii\iiice(l  that  t  he  schools  tliat  were  access- 
ible to  gii-ls  in  N'irgiiiia  did  not  afford  the  neces- 
s;ii-y  fiicilit  ies. 

1  liiid  a  bill  siibmitle(l  \u  the  llonse  of  Dele- 
u,;ites  to  anthori/e  the  iidmission  of  ladies  to  the 
ncademic  departiiieiit  of  the  I'liiNcfsity  of  \"ir- 
giiiiii.  it  was  lefcri-ed  to  the  Committee  of 
Schottls  ;iiid  TollcLics,  which  liebl  its  meeting  in 
my    ojlire. 

Two  pfofcssdi's  of  the  rni\-ersity  of  \'irginia 
went  t<i  Kichmiiml  to  dppose  the  bill,  and  tliey 
siiccceclcd    in    lia\ing   it    reported   achcrsely. 


Sii jii  rill h  ii'h  II I    'if    I'nfil'ir    / iisl rm-t i'Jii         IJ'.tT 


Ni'itlicr  the  Stale  nor  religious  (Icnomiiial  ions 
Were  |ic(iiiiiai'il  V  altir  to  i-n-n  new  ami  iiidi'iirnil- 
ciit  iiisl  ii  ui  ituis  of  Icai-iiiiiLj,"  I'm'  wdiiicii  nf  ciiual 
LTrailc  li»  I  hose  ilicv  hail  U>\-  iiicn  ;  Init,  1)V  ad- 
iiiiiiiiiLC  woiiicii  III  lliioc  llirii  cxisiinu'.  new  (un-s 
w  uiild  nut   lie  iicccssa  rv. 

Tin-  iilil  (•(iiitciil  ion  ilial  WKinm  ai'c  imi  siis- 
ccptiMc  itf  ciiual  (■(liical  inn  wiili  imMi  semis  ii> 
iia\c  lieell  L:,i\cii  up,  and  ilie  ilanu'ers  uf  cdedu- 
eaiion  of  the  sexes  lias  taken  its  place  as  the 
Lrfoiind   of  (ipjidsit  ion. 

1  lia\('  now  hefiife  nie  letlefs  eoxcfinLr  Itolll 
(d"  these  points  fl'olii  some  id'  l!ie  fiprst  sidiolafS 
and  aldest  ti-aehefs  in  Ameiiea.  I  )f.  d.  L.  M. 
('nifv,  who  is  doiiiLT  moi'e  for  ueiieial  ed  neat  ion 
in  the  South  than  any  othef  man.  ail\oeates 
lliuhef  I'dueatioll  fof  women,  and  eo-edueal  ion 
of     the     sexes.         Ilielimolid     ('olleLl'e     lias     j-eeeUlly 

(iprned   its  diiofs  to  women. 


r  IT  APT  Eli  xxvni 

RKTIRKMKNT    TO     I'lJIVATK    LIFE 

Eksolitioxs  n(l()]»t(Ml  b_v  tlic  Coiifcrcnfc  of 
County  and  City  iSujjci'iutcndciits  of  Schools, 
at  tlio  iiicctiiiuj  held  in  IJiclmiond,  May,  1S1»7, 
were  as  folh)\vs : 

"  WluM-cas,  (Jcnci-al  ('ducation  is  Ix'coiainjjj 
more  and  more  i-('ii:ai-<i('d  as  the  bulwark  of  na- 
tional liberty  and  indcitcndcncc ;  and,  whci'cas, 
the  Slate  of  ^Mr,^■inia  looks  u])on  hci-  cfrcat  sys- 
tem of  public  free  schools  with  ])rid(»  and  alTee- 
tion,  as  a  necessary  factor  in  the  iiiainteininc(^  of 
her  i^ood  nauie,  and  in  the  ))i'()iiiot  ion  of  the  In- 
tel liii'cm-e  and  ii'enei'al  welfare  of  lier  ]teoj)le; 
and,  whereas,  the  Hon.  John  ]•>.  .Massey,  the  ])res- 
<'id  Sujterinteiident  of  Public  Instruction  of  our 
State,  has  pei-forined  the  dillicult.  arduous,  and 
almost  sacred  duties  of  that  hiiih  ollice  with  such 
zeal,  ability,  ])i-oiii))t  ness,  and  indefat  iu'able  in- 
dnsti-y.  and  with  sindi  satisfaction  to  his  ])eoi)Ie; 
therefoT'e,  be  it 

'•  Kesolved,  That  ^\(^  the  Connty  and  City  Su- 
]»eriiiten(lents  of  this  State,  in  <-onfei'ence  assem- 
lilcd.  do  here  ]in])li(  ly  thank  him.  on  behalf  of 
all  the  citi/.eiis  ((f  tlie  sc\('ral  conniies  and  cities 
of  this  ( "oninionwealtli.  for  his  i^'reat  sei-vices; 
and.  without  disparau'enient  to  the  (|ualitii'at  ions 
of  the  many  dist  inL,niishe(l  edncators  of  this 
Sl;ile,  we.  as  a  body,  desire,  and  deem  it  to  be 
a    duty,    to    jmt    ujion    recor<l    onr    sim-ei'e    com- 


Rrfin  iinni     to     I'liralr    Lifr  2lll) 

iiiciHl;it  ion  of  liis  ]t;ist  \\tirl<  in  the  cause  of  pub- 
lic •  ■(lucaiion.  aii<l  our  wish  iliat    he  he  I'eiaiiied 

in    I  he   ollice   he  so  ahl  V    lill>."' 

Kcsolul  ions  adfijded  al  the  ineeiiu^-  of  the  \'ii'- 
Liiiiia    I '.ooksclh'is"    Associaiiou    wcri*  as    folhiws: 

••Kesohcil.  \\\  ihe  N'ilLTiuia  llookseHers'  As- 
sociaiiou. ill  coMNcntioii  a>>eiiilihMl.  That  thi-  Su- 
|M-i-iiiicinlcui  of  I'uhlic  Insiniciiiiu  nf  the  Slat.' 
of   \'ifi;Inia.    the    llou.   .Idlm    i;.    Massi-y.    is   fully 

eUlille(|    Id    ihr    lliailks    (if    ihc    [iciililc    (if    \' i  fLJ-i  1 1  ia 

foi'  his  eniciciii  ma  iiau'i'iiieiii  of  the  piihlic 
schools;  :\\\i]  iheir  )ifc-clil  hiiih  slaihliui:  is  due 
mainly  lo  his  udr!:,  and  w  c  carnc^ily  endorse  his 
iiii  e|  I  IlCciiI    and     iudicioii^    ad  m  inisi  i-ai  i(Ui.'" 


lliese   I'esdlui  ions  a  lid    iiiaiiy  solnila  i  ions  cou- 
sifaiiied  me.  aLL'aiiisl   my  heller  jiidu'iiieiil .  lo  he  a 

candidale    for    re-e|ecl  ion     lo    ihe    ollice    of    Su|M'I'- 

inieiideiil    of    Tuhlic    1 11^1  nici  ion. 

The  same  [laiMies  ihai    had   a  iiiaL:oni/.e(|   me  so 
liiMei-l\   and   nn--ci'ii|iiil(m-^ly  on   former  oc.-asi.uis 
iiniie(|    I  heir    forco    lo   defeat     me.      They    iiomi 
iiaie(|   SI  II  II   men  aLTainsi    me.     These  were  taken 

fl'Mlil  dili'erelll  Seclioll->  of  ihe  Stale  to  seeUfe  llie 
sIlplMirl  (d  Illelllher'^  of  ll:e  I  e'_;i  v  h' I  I  U  fe  frmil  iheif 
re-pecI  i\  e      Incalilies.     ; )  1 1 ,  j      v,  ,     In     .|i\ide      the     \ole 

a^  In  prexciil  my  heiiie-  miminaie.l  n|Min  ihe  tii-st 
lialh>i.        Tlie--e     se\eu     meii     aiid     iheir     hackers 

auroeij       Hi;  I  I        the       hiWe-j       ca  lid  i  dale      vh.illld       he 

diMjipeil  ;ifiei-  each  hallol.  aiid  ihal  his  >-ii  [  i|  m  ua - 
er->  -hi'iihl  sii|i|Mirl  ihd-^e  wipi  remaine(l  of  the 
^e\e;i    iiiilil    -i\    -hollld    he   dropiH-d.      Then    all    of 

the  >ll|ilMiIl  er^  of  ihe  <i\  W  h  o  had  heell  (|r(i|i|leil 
Were    lo    \oIe     fof    tile    seVCIllll     IliaU.        Tile    palfoU- 


^'00     A  ulo])i()(/r<ijiJtij    of    John    E.    Masscij 

n,u:e  (tf  the  ofHcc  was  promised  to  those  who 
sliould  he  (li-o])]»e(K  and  to  (lieii"  friemh'<. 

1  ]('(!  ill  ('\cry  hallo!  iiiilil  llie  hist.  Wlieii 
llie  votes  of  all  seven  were  east  for  \\\o  seventh 
man.  he  was  elected  hy  a  small   majoi-ity. 

The  I'csult  was  disai)i)oint  iniL;:  to  m_v  friends. 
T.  of  coarse,  shared  their  feelini!;  to  some  extent, 
hut  no  prisoner  who  had  sei'ved  out  his  term  of 
im])i'isonment  could  have  enjoyed  his  release 
more  than  T  did  ndne.  T  had  heeu  in  puhlic 
ohice  for  tweidy-tive  yeai's.  after  havintj:;  spent 
thirty  yeai-s  in  the  ])ractic(^  of  law  and  the  active 
Chi'istian  ministi-y,  and  T  needed  quiet  and  rest. 
T  lielieve  T  have  served  my  fellow-citizens  and 
my  State  in  more  ways,  vocations,  and  oflices 
than  any  other  man  of  this  li'enei-ation  within 
her  horch'rs. 

Tn  my  retircaiient  froni  oHicial  life  T  enjoy  the 
satisfaction  of  havin":  pei-formed  my  duties  con- 
scientiously, faithfully,  and  feai'lessly,  to  the  hest 
of  my  ahilily.  in  evei'y  position  T  have  filled;  and 
that  T  hav(>  the  i-espect,  confuhMiee,  and  ijood 
wishes  of  the  ^'reat  mass  of  those  with  whom, 
and  for  whom,  I  liave  labored. 


ciiAPTi:!:  XXIX 

LOCAL  oi'Tiox  :    i'i:(iiiimTi(>\ 

Tm:  lirsi  IciiijtcraTict'  (>i-i:;mi/.;il  ions  foi-iiicd  in 
\'ii\irini;i  wfi-c  foj-nicd  in  I'l-filcrickshnri:.  in 
Sjtot  tsvi\ani;i.  my  natiNc  connty.  Thci-o  were 
1  w  o  oi'uiiiiizal  inns  :  one  fni-  adnlls,  and  on*-  for 
niiiKii's.  X(»  (iiic  conld  jnin  the  lallcr  nntil  he 
was  ten  yrai-s  old.  ^^'llt■n  I  was  undiT  lliat  aii'' 
I  w  isht'il  to  licconic  a  nHMnlicr,  luit  I  was  \\n{  al- 
lowed lo  do  so.  r»nt  I  then  rcsohcd  t(»  be  a 
tcnipcfancc  lioy  and  man.  and  I  have  adlicivd 
to  lliat  jHirposc.  I'rom  my  l)oyli(iod  I  liavc  Itccn 
atli\i'ly  cnuaucd   in  temperance  woi'k. 

I  took  a  pi'omineni  paia  in  tlie  passair*'  of  tin' 
•'Local  ()ption  IMll";  the  "  Snnday  Li<pioi' 
Law/"  wliicli  riMpiii'cs  all  liar-rooms  to  lie  <losed 
t'l-om  Satnrday  niulit  nntil  .M<mday  iiiorninLr: 
and  the  ••  .Mimn-  Jai|nor  Law,"  wliicli  fophids  the 
sellini:  oi-  LiiviiiLT  intoxicants  ti»  minor's  withont 
the  wrillen  jiermission  (tf  their  |>ai'enls  or  i,oiar- 
dians. 

On  .lanuaiw  L'L',  ISIH.  I  wrote  the  follow  ini: 
let  Id'   to   the   IMiloI'  of   the   I  h' •<  /  i<I  1 1 -li  : 

"In  the  las!  |ioliiic;il  campaiL'n  a  party,  com- 
jiovrd  of  l^■pMlllic,•l  n^.  i'opiilisis.  Third  ]ia!'iyiies. 
a  few  iriH'  and  honcvi  hcmo.rals,  and  di>a|i- 
poinied  ;i --[Mra  III  <.  with  no  defined  |ioIiiic:il  pi-iii- 
ciple^  or  a  Hilia  I  ioiis.  soniihi  pojiijcal  ojlice  nnder 
I  he  name  of  •  I'i'ohihit  ioinsts." 

••  They  draiZLTed   the  canse  of   tenijierance  into 


r>Oli     A  ulnhioip-iiplij/    of    JoJni     I'.    Mdysci/ 

till'  ni'ona  of  jiolilics  niid  made  llicir  li<i;]it  over 
thai   siiiijfle  issue. 

"  Tlicy  cliavi^ed  fliat  tlie  Dciuooi'at ie  ])ai'ly  was 
I'liu  and  controlled  by  (lie  li(|iioi-  interest.  Some 
of  ilicse  s])eakei's  asserted  that  *  the  whole  Dem- 
ocrat ie  ])ai*ty  was  in  leaji:ne  with  l)eei'-wa,ij::ons, 
red-nosed  whiskey  bummers,  and  ludl.' 

'"  These,  T  am  uhul  to  say,  wen^  not  A"ii',<i:inians, 
but  hirelinixs  from  another  State. 

''^  These  chai'ucs.  and  the  a]>j)eals  based  u])on 
them,  would  liave  drawn  many  tem])ei*ance  men, 
A\ho  wei'e  li'ood  Democi*ats,  fi-om  the  Democi'atie 
]>arty,  if  the  Dcmoci'atic  ]>ai'ty  had  not  so  ]»lace(l 
its(df  on  t'ccotmI  as  to  enable  its  aihocates  to 
show  theii*  falsity  and  absurdity. 

'*  ITow  had  the  T)emoci*atic  ])arty  done  this? 
^\y  passinti"  the  'Local  0]»tion  T^aw." 

"  The  lem|»erance  ])eo]>le  said.  ])ract  ically  :  '  We 
do  not  ask"  the  h'u'islatui'e,  which  is  o\-erwhelm- 
in;Li:ly  Demor'i'at  i<',  to  violate  oi-  sacritice  the  time- 
honoi'e(l  dcvo'ion  of  Democracy  to  the  rii^ht  of 
sclf-uoveiaimcnt  or  home  rule.  We  sim])ly  ask 
you  to  ^-ixi'  the  jteoph^  of  any  and  every  commu- 
nity (he  I'iu'lit  (o  (b'cide  for  (hemselves  whether 
oi'  no  intoxicating"  li(|uors  should  be  sobl  in  their 
midst.' 

''The  Democratic  ])aT-ty  (true  to  its  ]U'in- 
(  ifile^i  enacted  the  law  asked  for.  The  best  tem- 
]ierance  men  I'ejoiced  (ha(  (his  moi'al  (]uestion 
had  been  taken  ou(  of  jiolitics  and  I'eleirate*] 
(o    (lie    jieople. 

''  Deiiiocrals  could  ]H)in(  widi  ])ride  to  the  fact 
(ha(  (liey  hail  )U'o\('d  in  a  mos(  practical  way 
iha(  they  believed  in  (heriu'ld  of  self-ii-overninent. 
and  that  (hey  \\'ere  friends  of  (em]ierance  and 
LTood  morals. 


I.'iciil    itfit'i'm:    /'roll ihil iuii 


.".(i;: 


"  If  1im;iI  i>|itii>li  li;iil  iml  slund  ;is  ;i  !i\ili^ 
wiliK'vs  of  ihr  falsiiv  of  ihc  fmil  fli;ii'Ui'S  iii;i<lt' 
;iur;iiiisl  ilii-  I  )(Miincr;iI  ic  |i;iiMy.  scores  ;iii(I  liiin- 
<lic<ls  (tf  Lrouii  iMi'il  WDiiIil  li.i\c  Iffl  il,  ;iii(|  wdiild 
li;i\i'  joiiK'd  till-  r;iiiks  (if  ihc  ri'"liiliii  ioiiisis. 
r.lll  ill  is  I;i\\  s;iti<ticil  I  hell  I  lli.ll  I  li-'  i;ilisc  nf 
IciiiiiiTMiicc  iiiid  ;ill  (iilici-  iiiii-rcsis  wci-i-  s.ifi-  in 
till-  Ii;inds  (if  1  )fiii(K  r;iis. 

*•  Suji|liiS('        lllis        Ii'L,nsl;ll  IIIC       lllllinst         soliillv 

I  )ciii(icr;ii  ic  should  [■('[kmI.  or  in  ;my  \\;i\- 
uc.ikcii  ihc  foi'cc  of.  the  loc.il  o|iiioii  l;i\\.  would 
liol  llic  I  )i'iiioci-;it  ic  jtMrly  ihi'l-chy  dcslfo\  llic 
II old c  I'l'cord  it  made  hy  its  passai^'c".'  Would 
it  Hot  suii-einlcf  the  \atiiai:c  ^-loiiud  it  now  oc- 
ciiliics'.'  Would  it  iKiI  weaken  the  hands  of  its 
defeiidefs,  and  st  feni:l  hell  the  hands  of  its  as- 
sailants".' 

•*  ^du   could    scafcely  do  anylhiiiLr   ihat    would 

Itetti'f   [dease   those   wild   wish    to   make   teni|ier;i  Ui-e 

a    [loliiical   issue  than   to   i-epeal   the  locnl   ojition 
law.      It    is   just    what    they    want   you   to  do. 
••  .M  \'   connection    with    the   cain[iaii:ii    of    1s<il'. 

and    that    of    IS'.C',.    iiu|ielled    me    to    cotisidef   rVi'Vy 

phase  of  this  sulijecl.  ;ind  as  hoth  a  I  eiiipei-ance 
man  and  a  I)eniociai  I  imidofe  you  io  lel  loc;il 
option   siaml    just    as   it    is. 

"   IJe^pecl  fidly. 

'•  .Iiuix  ]].  .Massi;y."* 


The    follow  illLT    needs    Ho    exjdaiiaiion: 
'■  The  immense  taliefuaclc  of  the  l)i\s  (in  \(U'th 
.\uL:u<ia    SifiM't    was  liLrhteil   Tuesday   nii:hi    with 

two    a  fc    IlLdlls.        The    spe;|kef    of    tl \  i  •  11  i  U  IT    Was 

Ijoii.  dohn  11.  Masvey,  Stale  Su  peciui  I'lideni  ,,f 
IMdilic  I  nsi  iiKi  ion.  lie  w.is  introdiucil  li\  lje\. 
I>i'.    daiHo    NeUoii.    who,    in    hi--    femafk^.    Lra\e 


304     Auloh'wyraphy    of    Jo]}}}    JJ.    Ma.'^steij 

stronjj:  reasons  why  all  Christ  iaii  men  should  sup- 
port tlie  present  movement  in  Staunton  a.iijainst 
.Ljranting  li(iuor  licenses. 

"^Ir.  Massev  looked  as  viij^orous  and  chippery 
as  usual;  aiul,  as  is  his  wont.  i)luni!:ed  with  little 
])reface  into  the  heart  of  iiis  subject.  After 
sayinn^  that  he  was  not  liere  to  abuse  saloon 
keepers  or  anyl)ody  else,  bnt  to  ijjive  some  ari^u- 
ments  aiii'ainst  license,  he  went  on  to  say,  in  ])art 
as  follows: 

'''When  I  was  a  boy  and  heard  the  <!:i'eat  evil 
of  intem])erance  (^alked  of  T  thoniiht  it  could 
easily  be  sto])ped.  I  thout^ht  it  was  such  a  hor- 
rible vice,  that,  after  beinii"  told  of  it,  nobody 
would  follow  it;  and  that,  after  that  croj)  of 
drunkards  passed  away,  no  more  would  follow. 
r>ut  it  has  ])r()ved  that  1  was  as  simi)le 
as  the  man  who  sat  by  the  i-iver,  wait- 
inij  for  it  to  run  di-y.  I  tind  the  ci-o])  of 
drunkards  is  not  diminished,  but  contiinics. 
The  T'ixcr  does  not  run  dr.\";  tln^  lai',i!:('  army  is 
still  mai'chini]^  the  saiiu' road  to  dcst  iMict  ion.  l>nt 
that  does  not  ]H'ove  that  it  is  us(Mess  to  try  and 
stoj)  it.  You  had  as  ^^"ell  say  that  schools  ai-e 
useless  l)ecaus('  you  have  to  educate  ^cnci'at  ion 
after  iJi:en('i'at  ion  that  follow  each  other,  ^'ou  had 
as  Nsell  say  it  is  useless  to  ])i'eacli  the  (Josj»el, 
because  it  has  to  be  ])i'eached  to  each  i-isiiui; 
,i:;eneT'at  ion. 

'''I  am  hei'e  to  reason  with  you  to-uit:1it.  Tf 
T  fjix'e  no  irood  I'eason  for  your  votinij:  airainst 
license,  then  I  can't  ask  for  your  vote.  What 
are  the  objections  that  are  ui'.Lre<l  airainst  your 
\-of  ini;  airaJTist   license? 

''' One  is  that  it  de]>i'ives  a  man  of  his  1  ibei'ty, 
his  riuiils.      \o  man  lias  a  ri.irht  to  do  anythinic 


Jjjccil    Oiili'iii:    I'l'ihifiition 


ao.') 


(hat  will  injui'c  his  frllow-iiian.  Tlici't'  is  iki 
/•//////  lo  sell  li(nior;  ii  is  a  j>ri\iit'u;i'  jj:iv('ii  by 
thr  law.  and  thai  which  the  hiw  jiro\i(l('s  may  be 
rcNokcd  ami  you  ha\('  the  pdwcr  to  end. 

"••Aiinihrr  is  that  it  will  not  sto]»  ijic  sale; 
that  riohibit  ioii  docs  not  jn'ohibii.  There  is 
no  doulit  that  some  men  will  haxc  li(|uor.  but 
all  cxpci'icncc  lias  shown  that  at  the  wdfst  the 
dilTcicncc  between  o|»en  saloons  ;ind  I'l'ohibii  ion 
is  just  the  dilTercnce  between  bai-fcls  of  whis- 
key ami  jiiu^s  of  it.     A   i:;ood  <lirt'ei'ence,  isn't    it? 

"•Anothei'  is  the  re\enue!  I  ha\('  been  the 
Autliiof  of  this  State,  and  my  e\periem-i'  in  that 
otiicc  cotu  iiices  me  that  foi-  e\t'i'y  dolhir  the  State 
ivceixes  from  li(|Uor  licence  she  i^ays  out  [our 
iI'jI  hi  r-s-  foi-  erimina  1  |U'ovimui  ion  ;ind  other  costs. 

'•  '  ALiain.  tlie\'  say,  if  you  don't  license  resjx'ct- 
able  men  to  sell  it.  that  disre|iutabli'  men  will 
caifv  on  the  ti-ade  in  out-ofi  he  w  ;iy  celhlfs.  Well. 
e\cn  that  is  a  ureat  Lrainl  When  we  haxc  tlfiven 
whiskey  into  a  coal-hole  we  ha\('  <j:ot  it  on  the 
I'un. 

•'  '  It  is  a  LTt'cai  |>ity  we  can't  ha\e  men  to.ilis- 
cnss  this  (|ues!i(Ui.  but  you  cati'l  i:ei  them,  ^'oii 
will  timl  jdeuiy  of  men  to  talk  foi-  whiskey  on 
t  he  vi  i-cct  coruei-s  and  with  t  heii-  ac(|i]aintances, 
but    you    nexcr   tind    a    man    who    \\;inis    to   ((Uiie 

b!'f(M'e  ;i  LI'I'eal  aud  !■(■--(  leel  a  bl  e  MudieUce  like  tllis 
(•lie  ami    ;id\oc;|Ie   llie   s;ile   of    wlli^key.       'j'he   e\ils 

tlowinu'  from  the  u-^e  i.f  li(|mu-  a  fe  so  i:-i'.';ii  il,;it 
iKi  Mile  likes  lo  uphold  it.  It  is  :i  iTfcat  mistake 
t.i  v;)y  iliat  lii|Uiu-  liufis  uobod\  but  the  man 
w  ho  drink<  it.  Look  at  y(Uii'  jaiN.  Muir  asvlums, 
\dui'  |U'isiui<.  and  you'll  tind  the  answri-  to  that. 
It  hufis  wi\e><.  bl'otliei'<.  Ulolhel-s.  daULThtei-s.  sis- 
tel-<.    who    ne\el-    tiMlched    it     ill    tlieil'    li\es. 


I>00     Autobiographij    of    John    IJ.    Ma^scy 

"  '  l{  lias  bt'c'U  .said  by  suiue  good  iiieu  that  it 
cairi  be  helped;  thut  the  law  licenses  it,  and  that 
the  i('si)on.sil)ility  is  not  on  them.  That  reason 
won't  do  in  Ihis  day.  The  legislature  has  passed 
this  very  law  under  which  you  are  to  vote  on 
August  I'lM,  to  remove  that  excuse.  It  puts  the 
responsibility  right  on  the  shoulder  of  each  in- 
dividual v(jter.  The  Christian  who  walks  up  to 
the  i)olls  in  Staunton  and  votes  to  license  licpior 
selling,  takes  the  responsibility  before  (lod  and 
the  world  on  himsi'lf.  If  he  votes:  I'c.v.  it  shall 
l)c  sold,  instead  of:  A'o,  //  sJuiH  not  be  sold, 
he  agrees  to  stand  together  with  the  salo(jn  keeper 
in  his  trade.  There  is  no  evading  it,  that  is 
just  where  you  stand.  The  legislature  says  you 
may  stoj)  it  if  you  choose,  and  you  say  you  don't 
choose.     That  is  the  hole  you  place  yourself  in. 

"' Jt  is  all  alfected  ignorance  to  try  and  argue 
that  the  saloon  business  is  like  other  business. 
Tiie  saloon  man  knows  it  isn't  ;  and  you  know  it 
isn't.  Tlie  saloon  man  has  to  get  a  certificate  of 
(/o'jd  (iKU'dchr.  Does  any  drx'  goods  merchant, 
any  gidcery  mei'chant,  oi*  any  other  merchant 
of  any  kind,  ha\"e  to  haxc  a  certilicate  of  good 
charactei-?  To  sell  li(iuoi-  is  so  sanctifying;  there 
is  something  so  sanctifying  in  the  jug  and  its 
contctits.  that  to  sell  it  a  cei-t  ideate  of  good 
charactei-  is  i'C(|iiircd.  A\'e  can't  iheii  say  a  word 
al>oiit  the  man  that  gets  the  license,  liecause  it 
would  retiect  on  the  court,  if  \\('  did.  [A  A^)ice: 
("rodd.  liii  him  again.] 

*'  '  The  <\vy  goods  man  has  his  store  w  ide  open, 
big  w  iiid(»ws,  eNcrythiiig  to  make  ]»eople  see  what 
is  inside  and  come  in  and  buy.  Tlie  man  of 
</<)'ii/  ihd  1(1(1'  r  has  gla/ed  wiii(b)ws,  and  when 
\i)U  ^et   in  \  ou  have  to  go  behind  a  screen  to  see 


Local    Opti<j}i:    I'ruliibii'iun 


:]U' 


what  lie  is  sclliujj^.  That  is  ihc  sort  of  hiisiiu'ss 
I>laci'  itMHiirrd  lor  the  man  who  has  the  fcrtili- 
calf  of  ^ooil  characltT.  |  Apphiiisc  ami  erirs  of: 
(joi»il!|  \'(»n  say  a  saloon  man  is  w  ron;^  to  pt-r- 
suadf  mm  lo  buy  his  ^nods.  \'oii  don't  say 
thai  (d'  I  lie  dry  ii'oods  man  who  has  no  ccii  ilii-atc 
of  ^ood  character.  '!'(»  mcniion  litpior  selling  as 
a  linsim->s  un  ;i  fooling  with  oilici-  Imsinos  is  a 
snhici  fn^f.  and  those  who  do  it  know  it  is.  If 
\^)\\  \  (lie  /  '//•  I  .\((  iisi\  yon  say  l<>  i  he  liipior  men  : 
11'  \iiu  ui\f  me  so  milch  money  I'll  ^i\t'  you  a 
licfiix'  lo  sell  litpioi',  make  drunkards,  and  ruin 
families.  Thai's  ii,  and  iliai's  all  ilicrc  is  in  it. 
\'>ii  do  i!.  The  Icuislal  in  c  liy  this  lucal  up!  ion 
law  li;is  Lii\en  jinn,  as  ;in  iiidi\idiial  miIci-,  llie 
pi-i\  ilcLii-  (if  sayiiiu'  whcihei'  lliis  man  sli;i!l  sell 
iw  no!,  and  hy  ymii'  noic  fm-  ii  yon  hccoiiie  a 
l»;i  II  \    lo  I  he  I  ratlic.      |  Applause.  ] 

•■•^'(|li  say  llicy  ln'l|i  liiisiiii'ss,  s.ilooiis  do. 
Tlicy  hrlp  ihe  Made  nf  ihesc  husilicss  li|;icc>  and 
mi  III  lirp  : 

"  '  Liipmr  Saloons. 

'•  •  I'niicc  Siai  ions. 

••-.l.-iils. 

"  •   I'dlilciil  i;irics. 

••  '  INiiir    I  Imisrs. 


he     ll>l     (il      liUSilir^--r 


h.ll     sell  mil: 


•••Thill    i. 
li(llllll'   llllp'-'. 

••  •  .\I;ii  lii'W  >  ("(iuni\,  ill  iliiv  Si;iir.  li.jv  l,H-,i! 
iipijiiii.  ;ind  Im^iTi  h.iil  ;i  ci-i  m  i  ii;i  1  in  il  f'U-  ihin' 
yi-:ir<.    I  .\  pphi  u^e.  !    .\ml  I  he  jiidL:!'  nf  i  li;i  i   ciiiiniy 

Si'r>    iIkII     lllr    I ;  I  W     is    rllfurciMJ.         \ii     m;ill     lirc<imc-- 

ciiliera  <liiiiik;ird  urn  rriiiiiiml  ;ill  ;ii  mhic.  lie 
U'eiv  III  1m'  vncli  liy  deuiiM'v.  S;i\i'  \iiui'  liii\s  and 
\  I'li'll   h;i\  c  no  di-unkcn  men. 


308     Aiifobioj/nipJiij    of    John   E.    Masscij 

*' '  Y'ou  talk  about  bu.siuess.  Do  you  .sui)po.se 
a  man  is  goiiij^  to  buy  less  dry  goods  because 
he  doesn't  spend  his  money  in  saloons?  Do  you 
suppose  a  man  is  going  to  buy  less  groceries, 
shoes,  hats,  because  he  spends  less  mout'y  for 
li(pior?  AN'hy,  you  icnow  tiiat  is  absurd.  The 
real  estate  men  are  the  sharpest  and  shrewdest 
men  in  this  State.  \Vhen  tliey  have  properly  to 
sell  tliey  give  it  every  recommendation  they  can 
tliink  of.  They  advertise  that  it  is  near  churches, 
schools,  stores — did  you  ever  know  one  to  adver- 
tise tliat  it  was  near  a  grog  shop?  [Applause.] 
If  it  were  of  l>enetit  to  the  business  of  a  commu- 
nity to  have  dram  shops,  don't  you  suppose  the 
real  estate  agents  would  adveiiise  it?  You  know 
they  woidd.  Is  there  a  gentleman  or  a  lady  here 
to-night  who  would  not  feel  the  value  of  their 
home  marred,  if  theiv  wvvc  a  dram  shoj)  near  it? 
If  it  were  thei'e,  it  would  be  tlie  last  thing  they 
would  talk  about  as  sometliiiig  tlial  eidianced  its 
xaluc. 

"'Siauiiioii  is  growing  into  a  tine  i-cpntation 
o\('i-  the  laml.  We  fi'om  elsewhere  s]ieak  of  it. 
not  as  a  honm  town,  but  as  a  solid  cily.  where 
in\ est  iiieiits  can  be  made  safely.  I  lia\"e  iiitei-ests 
in  \alu;iltle  pi-opeity  liere.  allliongli  I  don't  li\'e 
liei-e:  and  I  feel  tliat,  if  Staunton  goes  dry,  the 
\a1i)e  of  my  jii-operty  will  be  increased.  And  that 
is  ilie  way  that  e\-ei'ybody  with  interests  here 
looks  at   it. 

'''To  Clii-istians  1  wish  to  say  a  few  closing 
words,  ('an  you  vote  foi-  license?  Keiiiember  it 
is  you  I'  ;ict.  this  mat  lei-  of  license  now  !  It  is  not 
the  act  of  your  judge,  noi*  of  your  legislatui'e ; 
it  is //0///-.S'.  ^'ou  can't  t  raiisfer  t  he  i'esponsil)ility 
to  some  one  else;   vou  must  beai'  it.     Von  can't 


J/)C(il    Ojili'Di:    I'roliihilinn 


;>(►:> 


LMNt'  ydiirsclvcs  any  cxcnst'  alxuil  waiiliiiLT  to 
r>  <inhil<  tlic  sale  nf  lii|inir.  Wliai  uoiilil  yoii 
lliiiik  iif  a  |»Iiysiciaii  wlm,  iiisicad  of  waiiliiiL:  M 
cure  a  ilisca^c,  should  only  want  lo  rcLiulalf  it?' 
'*  .M  I'.  Masscy  close  I  l»y  an  appeal  to  ihc  ladies 
to  \\uik  and  l(»  uInc  llieir  connienaiH-e  lo  ilic  ef- 
foi'l  now  liein;L:'  made  lo  .va\e  ihe  yiHiiiu  uhmi  of 
Siaunioii    I'l'oin   its   liipioi-  saloi.ns." 


CIIAPTEIJ   XXX 

CONSTITUTIONAL    CONVENTION 

"To    nearly    1500    Deinoci-alic    volvrs    of   Albe- 

inai-li'  ('ouiily : 

"  ( k'litleiiicu  :  111  coiui>liaiice  \vi(h  your  re- 
(|iicsl  I  hereby  aiiiiouiice  myself  a  '  caiulidate  to 
represent,  in  jtart,  the  eoiinty  of  AIl>eiiiai-le  and 
the  city  of  ('harlot  tesxille  in  tlu^  ( 'onstitut  ional 
('onventioii  to  asseiiilile,  subject  t(t  the  a])])i'o\al 
of  the  1  )eiii()erat  ie  party  exju-esscd  in  eoUNcu- 
tioii,  or  lU'iiiiaries,  as  may  hei-eal'tei-  be  deter- 
mined. 

"Permit  me  to  say  that  I  am  not  ](rom])ted 
to  do  this  by  j)ri\ale  or  ]»ersonal  moii\-es,  but 
by  the  follow  iuLC  considei-at  ions  : 

"  "IMie  Tuderwood  < 'oust  it  ut  ion  was  ncNcr  sat- 
isfactory to  me. 

••  Por  many  years  I  luuc  ad\d(ated  callinn"  a 
<-on\ cut  ion  to  fi-ame  a  new  ( "oust  it  ui  ion  for  \'ii'- 
.i;"inia. 

"it  is  si'lf-e\idenl  that  only  those  who  sin- 
cei'cly  fa\'or  t  he  foiMuat  ion  (d'  a  new  ( 'oust  it  ut  ion, 
and  will  conscieni  iously  labor  to  ui\e  the  jieople 
of  \'iri:i]iia  the  best  one  the  combined  w  isd(»m  of 
llie  conscniioii  can  fiame,  sti-idly  i-euardinii"  the 
I'l-inciples  of  I'iulit,   justice.  e(|niiy,  economy,  and 

the    wish    and     will    (d'    the    peojile    they     I'epresellt, 
oilLliil    to  be    inendiers  id'   the  con\-eniion. 

'•'i'liat  'nearly  loOO  I  )emoi!-;it  ic  Noli'rs  of  the 
ciiiiiity  (d  Alliemai-le  and  city  of  ( "ha  riot  ies\ille  * 
lia\('  jM'titioned    me   to  become  a   candidate,  ami 

sm 


( '(iiislit  (it  iiiiKil   (  '(III  n  iit'ciii 


:il  1 


llic  iisMiraiicfs  1  r(M('i\t'  thai  nearly  nil  who  de- 
sire a  new  ( 'iiiisiii  u  I  ion  ((incur  with  the  e\[»ress(Ml 
w  i>>h  dl"  I  he  •  iieai-jy  irtOO/  ha\c  delei-inined  me 
lu  I'oi'eui*  peisKiial  eonifoft  and  (((iiveniein-e,  phict* 
myself  in  the  hands  of  m\  fi-ieiids,  and  jih-d^e 
iheiM  iheliest  ser\  ices  I   can  remh'f. 

•'  \ rvy    respect  ftilly, 

".loiiN   v..  .Masskv." 


Iiiiaiinkc  'i'uiKs:  "  ir  the  dthef  counties  in 
N'iiirinia  aic  fort  iinaie  eiiomih  to  secufe  men  to 
i-epi-eseni  iheiii  in  the  ( 'i  ijisi  i  I  ui  io  na  I  ( 'on\  cut  ion, 
w  he  will  CI  line  on  I  as  Imldly  a>  Mr.  -I  elm  \\.  Mas- 
sex,  ami  declaic  as  nnei|ni\ dca lly  as  he  does,  thai 
they  will  lia\e  nothing  tt>  do  with  evasions,  in- 
terlininus.  and  compromises,  ihc  1  )riii()(  rats  of 
the  Stale  will  lli't'd  to  feel  no  fear.  We  say  ceim- 
I  icN  ad\  ix'dly  ;  for  it  mn>l  lie  icmendiered  liy  all 
ih'iiKiciais  that,  when  the  \(iie  was  taken  in  .May 
u|Hin  the  (|Uesii(in  of  liohlinu'  the  <  "onsi  it  nt  ional 
(  oin  cui  imi,  it  was  fennd  thai  the  counties,  as 
a  whole.  Liavca  majurity  a'j.aiiist  the  coiix  cut  ion, 
and  had  it   not  been  'inv  this  majority,  the  minor- 

il\     \iile    in    the   ciiuniies    Wiiuld    ha\C   difeale(l    tilt' 

movement.  ii  is  not  known  when  this  coiivcn- 
I  ion  will  lie  hdil  ;  liul.  when  it  does  cMn\ciie.  we 
want   Im  find   ii    madi'  up  nf  fcailcss  im-n  like  .Mr. 

.Ma^^iy.    willi    fearless    and    delel-milled    |icoji|e    lie- 

hind  I  h  I  •  1 1 1 .  who  will  p  u  i  1 1 1  •  with  n  o  j  u  u;L,d  i  n  lt.  :  i  n  d 
wliii   will    iiiiai   dnwii    ilicii-  w(irk    when    it    is  s)d» 

mi  M  i-d    I  I  I   I  hem.    if   it    dues   ip  .|    liiciM    with    t  liei  r  a  |i- 

pro\al.  .Mi-.  Ma^scv  and  the  IImh.  Mr.  I'.mj/..  i^'i 
A  llM-iiia  ill-,  w  ii-i-  pi-isriil  I'd  w  ii  h  a  1  isi .  cMiila  i  ii  i  m,' 
I  hi'  iia  iiies  <if  huml  red^  of  1  )eim  M|-a  t  s.  who  jira  \  ed 
thai  ilie\  wmild  hiiik  afler  their  iniei-est  in  the 
(-(invent  ii iii." 


.'■)1L'     A  iil(ibi<)(/ni])]iij    of    John    IJ.    Md.s.scy 

t)n  llie  2III1  of  April,  1901,  this  special  was 
scut    fi-oiii   ( 'harloltcsvillc  : 

•'  lion.  .loliii  E.  Masscy  died  at  (i.ir)  this  after- 
noon. 

'•  Al)ont  a  week  a^uo  he  sjxike  in  the  i-ain  at 
r.nmei-'s  Sloi-e,  live  miles  south  of  Charlottes- 
ville; aiul  a  (lecj)  cold  resulted.  This,  in  turn, 
dcveloiM'd  into  ,i;fij»,  which  in  a  youn.u'cr  man 
would  have  amounted  to  very  little. 

'•()n  Monday,  Mr.  Massey's  jihysician  refused 
to  allow  him  to  attend  the  convcuition,  \\hich 
nominated  him  and  Mr.  l>oaz  as  Democratic 
candid;ites  for  the  ( 'oust  itut  ional  ('on\"ention,  as 
his  maliidy  refused  to  yield  to  treatment. 

••  Xolliinu'  hut  his  aii'c  '^iwc  cause  for  uneasi- 
ness. His  family  did  not  T-eii";ird  him  as  in  any 
danu'er  until  altout  midniulit  last  niu'ht,  when  a 
clijinii'e  f(U-  the  nn'oi'sc  took  ]ilace. 

'' Wy  six  (("clock  this  morninjj:  his  condition 
seemed  liojieless.  hut  throuLihout  the  day  he 
rallied  ;it  times.  After  e:ich  r;dly,  however,  the 
re;i<t  iiui  was  more  alarmini;. 

""  ^o  indomitnhle  was  his  will  tlmt  many  (^x- 
ju-essed  tlie  hi-lief  that  the  veuerahle  man  would 
escnjte  de;ith.  itud  ;m  hour  hefore  his  end  lie  him- 
self siiid    he  he1ie\-ed   he  would   I'ct    well. 

••  '!'he  funei'iil  will  take  ]d;ice  ;it  mxtn.  h'riday, 
from  ilie  r.iiplist  riiurch,  and  llie  burial  will 
follow  in  Onk  Hill  reuietery,  this  city."  [The 
I'Mitoi'.] 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 

Los  Angeles 

This  book  is  DUE  on  the  last  date  stamped  below. 


It    JAN  2  1  1991 


l.:<     i:./„-]",' !-( Ill' 


F231       V.assey  - 
}/33a2     Autobiography 

of  Joto  E. 
Lias  soy. 


L  006  062  416  0 


F231 
?.:33A2 


AA      000  019  345 


